Michael's Courageous Battle Against Leukemia

Journal

Dear Friends & Family,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the recipients of the 7th annual Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship. This year we received 22 applications representing 13 different states. This was without a doubt our most gifted group of students. Every applicant had admirable qualities which made our decision extremely difficult.

Each student was required to submit an application form, two letters of recommendation, certification of their illness and write an essay describing how Leukemia has affected their life.

These outstanding young people will receive a total of $10,500 in scholarship funds to aid with their college tuition for the school year 2008-09:

Caroline Chen (Irvine, California) – Caroline will be a junior at Scripps College in Claremont majoring in Biology as a pre-med student. She aspires to be an Oncologist specializing in adolescent patients. She contracted ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in September, 2006 and had a bone marrow transplant (from her brother) in December, 2006. Caroline is involved with educating her peers about Leukemia, bone marrow transplants and how simple it is to be a bone marrow donor. She volunteers at City of Hope and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, an organization that educates the Asian American community about bone marrow registration and donations.

Hunter Durfee (Troy, New Hampshire) – Hunter will be majoring in Education at Keene State in fall with the goal of teaching high school Spanish. He was originally diagnosed with ALL in 2002 at 11 years old and then relapsed in February, 2007. Deciding Leukemia would always be part of his life, Hunter took an active role in Leukemia Society’s Light the Night Walk and American Cancer Society Relay for Life. He currently is an “honored hero”, a poster child for Leukemia Society’s Pennies for Patients Program and speaks at local schools educating students on this disease. Leukemia did not silence him – instead it has given him a strong voice.

Gregory Farris (Des Moines, Iowa) – Gregory is a senior at Drake University in Des Moines working towards a dual degree in Biochemistry/Cell & Molecular Biology (BS) and Study of Culture and Society (BA). He was diagnosed with ALL in May, 2007. Greg has been a very high achiever in diverse curriculum and shown leadership in both areas. In conjunction with his Molecular Life Sciences Lab, he was a valuable member of a research team that examined care for hemorrhagic trauma victims. He has fought off his disease with a sense of humor and a positive attitude.

Benjamin Ritland (Ankeny, Iowa) – Ben will enter Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Ben is the oldest of eight children who lost their father to Leukemia in 2007. He learned life’s lessons very quickly when he could no longer be a carefree teenager. Being with his dad in the hospital and dealing with his pain, helping care for his siblings, and still continuing to strive to do his best shows Ben’s maturity. Due to his new role as family leader, he has little time for extra volunteer work but is active in his church group.

Lauren Tharp (Athens, Georgia) – Lauren will be attending Medical School at the Mercer University School of Medicine or Medical College of Georgia in fall, 2008. She was diagnosed with ALL in 2003 as she was preparing to enter college. She feels her experiences with Leukemia
will enable her to be a more caring and understanding doctor with a positive source of support and comfort. She is an outgoing, friend young lady with a determination to succeed.

Raeleen Whitt (Corona, California) – Raeleen begins her studying at Cal State Northridge in pre-nursing. Her goal is to become a pediatric oncology nurse. She was diagnosed in January, 2007 with ALL. Raeleen was able to maintain straight A’s during her treatment with the help of home and hospital teachers. One instructor commented that Rae never gave excuses; she overcame obstacles to learn the subjects that other students took for granted. She has proven she values education to the highest possible degree and will do whatever it takes to excel.

Thank you for your generous contributions throughout the year. The total contributions to the fund for 2007 were $3125. You have brought a lot of happiness to these six exceptional students. Remember, contributions to the Fund are always appreciated. We want to keep awarding scholarships for many years to come. Your donations are tax-deductible. They can be mailed to the address above or directly to the Orange County Community Foundation, 30 Corporate Park, Suite 410, Irvine, CA 92606. Please make checks payable to Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship/OCCF.

We thank you for your support and prayers which continue to make Mike’s legacy a success. It is people like you who make the world a better place.

Barbara R. Hunter-Auxier
Fund Advisor (and of course Mike's Mom!)

http://www.oc-cf.org/default.asp?contentID=627   Orange County Community Foundation (Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship)
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
http://www.leukemia-research.org   Leukemia Research Foundation