Scholarship Recipients

United Breast Cancer Foundation Audrey B. Mastroianni College Scholarship Recipients

Christina K.  Thank you for the scholarship and the opportunity to achieve my higher educational goals. Ever since my mother passed away from breast cancer I have had a new sense of motivation. She was an emergency room nurse for 15 years and truly loved her profession. To her it was more than just a job, it was what she loved. My goal in life and something I know would make her proud, is to be able to do the same. Find my passion and a career that I love. Thanks to your help I am able to attend UC Berkeley, where I plan to study business with an emphasis in sociology and in the non-profit sector. The ability to attend college will open many doors and help me to find my calling.

Kevin Z.  When it came to my education, my mom always put us first.  She always tried to make every school play and sporting event.  Probably the hardest thing for her was when she had to miss my 6th grade graduation, because she was in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor.  My mother always swore that she would never miss my high school graduation and when I saw her sitting in the crowd that night, the pride on her face was priceless.   She always told me that it was so important to get an education.  Thank you, United Breast Cancer Foundation, for helping me make my mothers dream for me a reality.

Megan J.  Breast Cancer has influenced my life in many ways over the past two years.  Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among Native American Women.  My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer November 2007.  This scholarship could help me pursue my passion of being a female lawyer.,  I want to excel in my school work as she has always advised me to do and how she has done.  She always taught to be a strong independent women that would someday make her proud!

Jeff S. After my mom passed away, I actually had the opportunity to save two people's lives and those life changing experiences along with volunteering in the medical field have helped me develop a great interest in nursing.  UBCF's scholarship is helping me pursue nursing.  Thank you!

Johanna Z.  Since my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I decided to be an oncology doctor.  I think this is an amazing area of study.  I would love to help people like my mother and help kids like me avoid the suffering that comes from living through their families' disease.  I think this is an area of medicine needs people who have experiences from the heart; these experiences cannot be taught in a classroom.  This is the reason I have chosen to study pre-medicine.  This will be just one more step towards becoming a person that can help the people who need it.  I have a purpose and it is to study and to be a good person and help others.  I am a "Latina" and I believe that I can help the Latino population in the US, because I am bi-lingual and many Latinos cannot speak English and they are afraid of going to the hospital because the doctors do not speak Spanish.

Heather C.  My Goals in life are to serve God, serve others, then myself.  My mother's strong will is one of the reasons that even today, five years after her death, she is my greatest role model.  I never heard her complain or ask "why me"?  She might have thought it but it never came out of her mouth.  My mother relied on her Heavenly father for strength and courage even in the last moments of life.  My mother's faith was one of a kind, there was no doubt in her mind that he was suffering and fighting right along side her.  I strive for that faith and that determination every day of my life.  She is my beacon, my reason, and my driving force to become a massage therapist and to give my strength to help others who need me.

Tiara B.  My Life took an unpredictable turn in the summer before 11th grade when my mother died from breast cancer.  I can't explain the shock, grief and abandonment I felt when I found my mother.  To this day I continue to feel an indescribable pain.  Losing a parent at 16 is horrific.  It hurts even more when she is your best friend.  The death of my mother changed my life in ways that seemed impossible.  My first year of school without my mother was challenging, however her voice pushed me towards the finish line of achievement.  I joined the school newspaper knowing she would have wanted me to, and I began taking more classes focusing in the journalism field.  Eleventh grade was an exasperating journey in my life but not enough to make me give up on what she and I believed in.

Elizabeth B.  I dedicate my graduate school studies in Social Work to my mom.  She and my dad raised me to be curious and imaginative-values needed in order to be able to step into someone else's shoes.  These values fortified me with the ultimate strength to survive such a devastating loss during an already rough life transition: middle childhood to adolescence.  My dad blessed me with an incredible private college preparatory high school experience with the help of my mom's social security funds, but he had a lot of trouble trying to send me through college.  As I will be paying off those loans for quite some time, graduate loans can seem overwhelming.  I pushed off my graduate studies until now because of the stress that new loan caused, but I have now decided to trust that everything will work out.  The Audrey B. Mastroianni College Scholarship will help me so much, relieveing some stress so I can achieve my goal.

I am very thankful and honored to have received the scholarship from the United Breast Cancer Foundation, Audrey B. Mastroianni Scholarship.  I am very fortunate to be attending Morningside College, but it is a very expensive school.  I am working part time jobs, so this scholarship will help ease the burden of paying for college.

The scholarship will help to ensure that I attain the goals I've set out to do.   I want to teach kids!  This is a goal I've had for many years and now I'm actually in college moving towards that goal and it just feels right.  With the help from this scholarship, you are making my dream into a reality.  Thank you so much for believing in me and for helping me with my college tuition.

Sincerely,
Jordan

Fazal K. is a student at the University of Texas, Health and Science Center at Houston.  He is earning his bachelors degree in Medical Dosimetry.  Fazal’s mother lost her battle with breast cancer when Fazal was only four years old. “Her death took an enormous emotional toll on me and my family.  We were left lonely, saddened and poor.”  As Fazal aged, he became more and more interested in the field of medicine and began to take courses that engulfed him in the world of science.  Fazal became interested in medical dosimetry which is a field within radiation oncology.  “I plan to further unify the fields of cancer and physical science to advance the quality of medical dosimetry treatment.”  
The only problem was that Fazal did not have the means to fund his education.
That is where the United Breast Cancer Foundation has stepped in, to help make Fazal’s goal a reality.

Sheila B., a student at the Metropolitan College of New York, is pursuing a degree in business administration.  After losing her mother to breast cancer a few years ago, Sheila became ill. “I really didn’t have anyone to talk to.
Little did I know, things were about to get worse.” Sheila developed stomach problems and severe depression which led to the loss of her job, and subsequently her home of 15 years.  Sheila ended up in a homeless shelter, but decided that in order to have a decent job, she would have to go back to school. Despite the many hardships Sheila has faced, she is determined to remain positive and focused on her future.  An Audrey B. Mastoianni College Scholarship from the United Breast Cancer Foundation will empower her to do just that.

Tammy L., a student at Faulkner University in Alabama, is majoring in Management and Human Resources.  Cancer has been a regular visitor in Tammy’s life; breast cancer took Tammy’s mother in 1989, her husband had lung cancer in 1992 and in 2003, Tammy herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. Struggling through chemotherapy, she had an epiphany that she wanted to make her life matter and never take one minute of it for granted.  “The painful chemotherapy and radiation treatments weakened my body, but never once did my will waver…seeing life in this blander, darker way made me appreciate life when times were nicer, even if I wasn’t so satisfied with it at the time.  I take nothing for granted and never pass up an opportunity.”  Tammy knows she can make a difference and has since returned to school. “…with [UBCF’s] help, you can help me help others.”
Tammy has been awarded the Audrey B. Mastroianni  College Scholarship and is now on her way.

Lauren M., is a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  She is working towards her degree in aerospace technology.  Her mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer when Lauren was four years old.  Thankfully, a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy were able to put the cancer in remission for nine years before returning.  Lauren’s mother passed away three years ago.  “I am convinced that through my trials I have gained something to share with the world around me; it is my duty to make use of this knowledge and experience.” Blessed with those years and inspired by her mother’s intense passion for life, Lauren ambitiously peruses her aerospace degree. The opportunity of a lifetime to study at MIT is the result of her drive for excellence. The Audrey B. Mastroianni College Scholarship awarded by UBCF is giving Lauren a well-deserved chance to succeed.

Dena Z., a student at SUNY Purchase in New York, is working towards her degree in art history.  One of the last things Dena’s mother asked her to do before she passed away from breast cancer was to keep drawing and making her art, and an Audrey B.
Mastroianni College Scholarship from the United Breast Cancer Foundation has enabled her to do just that.  “UBCF has relieved me from the anxiety and worry about being able to afford the tools I need… not having this extra pressure over costs is a wonderful feeling!”  Dena has been the recipient of two previous scholarships which have laid the foundation for her education.  “With lessoned financial pressures, I continue to develop fertile ideas which can only enhance and enrich my art career.  I will always be deeply grateful for
the opportunities that UBCF has helped create.”  

Melea K. is a student at San Diego State University in California.  She is majoring in land and regional geography.  Melea’s mother, a registered nurse, died of breast cancer after a five year battle when Melea was only 14 years old.  “My mom was
always reading.   She worked in hospitals for a few years but once she started
having children she stayed home to raise us.  She loved to learn.”  After her mother passed on, Melea stepped into the role of mother of the house for her father and two brothers. In addition, Melea juggled honors classes at school, church activities, and cancer fundraising events, all while still making time for her family. Melea is attending college to make her mother proud. “Following her marvelous example, I am striving to fulfill my goals for an education, like [my mother] wanted.  Even though she is not here to witness my struggles and triumphs as I’ve studied, I know she is watching and witnessing them from above. She is cheering me on and lifting me up.  I remember her example with every test, every paper, and every class I face.”  This selfless young woman has earned the chance to fulfill her career goals through The Audrey B.
Mastroianni College Scholarship from the United Breast Cancer Foundation.

Yvette R. is a student at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha.  Yvette is a nursing student focusing in oncology or hospice care.  Twenty years ago, when Yvette was a freshman in college, her mother passed away from breast cancer. The loss of her mother caused Yvette to become deeply depressed and drop out of school.
“Cancer has been no stranger to me and my family. Within six years, all three women were diagnosed at the age of 40 or younger and chose to have mastectomies, but sadly all three bravely lost their fight.”  In the years that followed a maternal aunt was also diagnosed with breast cancer.  Gratefully, she has been in remission for nearly 10 years. When her cousin was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Yvette found the inspiration and determination to complete her nursing degree.  “I have always been interested in the medical field and I initially wanted to become a doctor, but with the nursing shortage that leaves staff overworked and patients and their families frustrated, I feel my compassionate nature and willingness to help others could be most effectively utilized as a nurse professional.”  UBCF is pleased to award Yvette the Audrey B. Mastroianni College Scholarship to aid Yvette in reaching her goals.

Joey C. is a student at Eugene Lang College, The New School and is majoring in liberal arts. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was only seven years old.  Joey’s entire family focused on their mother’s recovery.
Joey said, “One of the most important things she learned was that one’s attitude is the single most influential aspect of healing.  By deciding that she would remain optimistic and happy throughout treatment, she truly fortified herself for survival.  This perspective on attitude has permeated much of my family’s philosophy ever since.”  Her will to fight the disease, while living with cancer rather than dying from it, inspired Joey’s passion for life. His mother’s support group of cancer survivors has made a great influence on him, “The group consisted of a collective of women and their families who came together to laugh, sing and essentially learn to live with cancer rather than dying from it… to see people faced with hardships beyond what most of us can fathom and choosing to enjoy life, to be positive and strong, to not only survive but thrive, despite it.”  Joey has now directed his energies towards completing his college education.  Due to his passion for life and positive attitude in the face of  adversary, Joey has been awarded an Audrey B.
Mastroianni College Scholarship.

Ladeana D. is a student at Ivy Tech Community College.  She is now pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. The last few years have presented Ladeana with nearly insurmountable challenges.  In June 2005, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, “I was taking a shower one evening and I noticed a lump in my left breast.  I was afraid it was cancer…”  The results of her biopsy were positive.  Ladeana then spent the next six months following surgery going through chemotherapy.  The loss of her hair, her appetite and the physical fatigue look a toll on her body. However, the worst was the sudden death, in January 2006, of her husband and helpmate in her struggle with cancer, “There was no time to prepare.  One morning, he was just gone.  I was so angry!”
Faced with all the obstacles of cancer treatment, single motherhood, and financial issues, Ladeana has survived with the help of family and friends.
She has rekindled her dream to pursue a career in nursing, “I have set clear goals for myself and I am determined to attain them.  I wholeheartedly believe that faith, determination and strength will carry me through this… just as it has always done.”  With the financial assistance of an Audrey B. Mastroianni College Scholarship, Ladeana will be able to reach her goals. 

Anastasia H., is a student at the University of Florida. Anastasia was 16 when her mother lost her battle with breast cancer.  When her mother was first diagnosed, they were told by the doctors that they had caught it in the nick of time.  After chemotherapy and radiation, her mother was taken off treatment for good.  A few months later, a rash developed on her side.  A week and a half passed and Anastasia’s mother knew she had to have the rash looked at.  The family’s worst fears were realized.  The rash was a reinstitution of cancer and would have about eight weeks to live.  As the oldest child of three, Anastasia often felt alone in her optimism that her mother would return to health.
Although a miracle didn’t happen, Anastasia knows her mother is in a peaceful place.  “I see many people who experience this same turmoil and collapse, not wanting to move on with life.  I desire to be an example to them, an example showing that they can do it, whether or not their situation is similar to mine”
 Anastasia is now interested in serving as a missionary in Africa. She has a strong background in service and feels that her belief in God and all that is positive will help her attain her goals.  “I aid people in my everyday life with a new found feeling of empathy and likeness to hardship. Today I do not only help them with advice, but I am also able to feel for them with my heart.”
 Now that Anastasia has a college scholarship from the United Breast Cancer Foundation, she is one step closer to her goals.