Four receive Cancer Kickin' scholarships

DAVENPORT — Gilda's Club and CCKMA have named four $1,000 Cancer Kickin' Scholarship winners.

The recipients included Cameron Christiansen and Sebastian Mireles, both of Muscatine; Karly Lent, of Bettendorf; and Katelyn McChesney, of Rock Island.

"Cancer has changed me; not for bad, but for good," said Mr. Mireles, a junior at Muscatine High School and a cancer survivor. "It's been a blessing in disguise.

"It has made me stronger, and I have had the opportunity to see how this disease changes people," he said. "I have seen the support of family, friends and complete strangers in my time of need."

A panel of judges scored 37 applicants on Community/School Involvement, References and Essays to determine the winners.

"It was brave of the students to put their stories to paper to share with us," said Kelly Hendershot, Gilda's Club Program Manager. "Children and teens impacted by cancer experience a wide variety of emotions that can last well into adulthood. In addition to being a financial resource, we hope the essay writing was also a good exercise for the students in giving a voice to their experience."

The recipients will be honored April 8 at the 10th annual CCKMA event in the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Angie DeWilfond, CCKMA founder, was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2007. She died in 2015. A small get-together she held in 2008 has grown into the annual fundraising event bringing together cancer survivors, their family and friends to celebrate life. It is also an evening of tribute to those we have died from cancer.

"This community has shown so much love and support for my late wife and her organization, CCKMA, that it just feels good to be able to give back to this community in such a positive way," said Todd DeWilfond.

Source: Four receive Cancer Kickin' scholarships