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APPLY FOR A SKIFAST FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP!
This support is designed to financially support sarcoma warriors as they strive to return to their pre-diagnosis extracurricular passions in either sports, the arts, music, science, etc, both during and post-treatment. The purpose of the financial support is to assist the warriors' physical, mental, and emotional well-being by enabling them to achieve their future goals whether it be through attending sports or academic camps, planning travel for study or competition, or through personal trainers, tutors, teachers or specialized programs that target their goals. This fund may also be used for applicants needing prosthetic or specialized equipment.
Applicants must be 20 years old and younger and have been diagnosed with sarcoma-type cancer (Ewing's, Osteosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, etc.). There will be multiple awards from $250-$2000.
Spring scholarships are now open! Applications are due by May 15th and winners will be announced by June 1st, 2022.
Learn More
Applicants must:
- Describe extracurricular passion and goal
- Their plan for the funds
- An essay about a time you overcame personal adversity
- One letter of recommendation
- Provide confirmation of diagnosis from your doctor.
Our Spring 2022 scholarship period is now open! Complete an application here:
Meet our Scholarship Recipients
Spring '21 Recipient, Luna Perrone
Luna is ten years old and was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma this in January 2021. She is an incredible athlete and plays soccer, softball, and recently picked up surfing. She is a total natural at surfing of course! Luna plans to use her SkiFast scholarship towards soccer training camp this summer as well as one on one training sessions to keep her fitness up. It is obvious that Luna does not let treatment or bad days hold her back from being with her team, and we are extremely impressed by her energy and attitude.
“No one deserves this to happen. It stinks, but I cannot let it bring me down. Even though I get stuck with a needle almost every day, I still keep a smile on my face. I know I am going to beat this. I am going to fight and win this battle. I look forward to leaving the hospital to see my family and my dogs." - Luna
Spring '21 Recipient, Avery Wisdom
Meet Avery Wisdom, a nationally competitive volleyball player and SkiFast Foundation Scholarship recipient who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at the age of 17 following a series of sports injuries and in addition to fibrous dysplasia which had weakened Avery’s clavicle.
“When I was first diagnosed, it seemed impossible that an athlete like me could have cancer. I didn’t understand that cancer is an equal opportunity offender. Now that I have accepted my diagnosis, my competitive nature and experiences as an athlete are helping me fight it. Teamwork, mental strength, and determination have always been at the core of my successes as an athlete and they are the key to overcoming my cancer now. Having a great team of doctors and nurses plus loving family and friends around me gives me the support system I need to get through my treatments.
Mental toughness helped me overcome my competitors on the volleyball court and that same mindset will help me beat cancer. When I am sick and worn down from chemo, I remind myself to keep pushing and maintain a positive outlook. I have been accepted into the Mays School of Business at Texas A & M University, and like most high school seniors, had plans to start college this fall. I was also planning to play volleyball for the Texas A&M Women’s Club. Since my treatments and surgery will continue at least through the end of the year, I will have to postpone my college debut. Despite this setback, I am determined to get healthy again and start college in fall of 2022.
I haven’t overcome this challenge yet, but I am a competitor and I believe I will beat cancer. Once I get past it, I know my experience with cancer will bring a unique perspective to my college experience. Although I will have to start a little later than I hoped, thinking about college and looking forward to playing the sport I love again will motivate me to get through my treatments.” - Avery
Spring '21 Recipient, Sean Barnette
Sean was diagnosed at 17 in January of 2020 during COVID with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. He was an avid dancer and the lead in several musical theatre productions at the time. Sean's limb salvage surgery took thirteen hours to remove the tumor and replace 13 cm of his Tibia and knee with a prosthesis.
As my journey continues, I'm different now. Unrecognizable to the "Sean" of yesteryear, both physically and mentally. I continue to live my life, not letting the effects of this tragedy keep me from achieving what I desire. I use my experience to help and support others, performing talks with children going through cancer treatments, and spreading awareness about mental health in teens and young adults. The fire that was born almost half a year ago carried me through my senior year, pushing me to make the most out of everything. I never expected this tragedy to happen, especially during a severe pandemic like COVID-19, and to this day, no one knows why Osteosarcoma develops. But I know that I would not be the passionate, determined, positive-minded person I am today without this experience."
We are very excited to support Sean! He was accepted to the Florida State University Music Program for Choral Studies and was also offered Membership into the University Singers Touring group for FSU, an audition-only choir that represents the University.
Spring '21 Recipient, Chris Beatty
Chris was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2020 and has since then finished treatment with NED scans back in March 2021. Treatment involved MAP protocol Chemo Therapy, Rotationplasty amputation surgery October 26, 2020. An avid autocross racer, Chris is excited to be attending college this fall.
"I am excited to go into college. Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant won’t be as challenging because while I am learning how to walk I am also learning how patients feel when they are going through therapy themselves and I’ll be able to help them in a better way. All of my struggles that I have had through fighting cancer have all taught me how to be persistent in what I want to do and become. The changes that I have gone through have been extensive, especially because I lost my leg due to the effects of cancer and chemo. With all that I have been through I am still the same kid inside that I was before, I am still hardworking and I care about and try to protect anyone and everyone I can. I have still changed too, the cancer put things into perspective and I live my life one day at a time and enjoy it because it can all be over in an instant. I want to be able to enjoy each day to its fullest and start doing the things that allow me to have some joy in my life. My adversity with cancer has taught me to focus on family and find joy in each and every day. - Chris
Winter '20 Recipient, Claire Russell
When Claire was 4 she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma. Claire's tumor was between two of the ribs in her back and was touching her spine. She went through 17 rounds of chemo, a rib resection (four of her ribs were removed), and spinal fusion surgery. Claire's treatment caused both scoliosis and kidney disease. Claire has persisted throughout it all and pursues her love of dance, even performing at CureFest days after surgery to put a stent in her kidney. "At the studio, I’m a dancer. Not a kid who had cancer." - Claire
Winter '20 Recipient, Alexis Doell
Alexis was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma during her junior year of high school. Alexis persevered and ultimately got back into her colorguard competition, despite seemingly endless treatment. She will be attending Hannibal Lagrange University and would like to be a pediatric oncology nurse. "I will participate in their nursing program and hope to work at the St. Louis Children's Hospital upon graduation. I hope you all will help me achieve my dream of helping others through their cancer treatment."
Winter '20 Recipient, Dillon Rundall
Dillon was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma during his junior year of high school and received ten months of treatment.
"In a sense the pandemic helped me overcome my cancer. This forced me to be patient with my disease. I did not feel left out, so I was not in a rush to get better; I could take my time to recover. There were no parties because everyone was stuck at home. The pandemic also made me feel less alone since my family was with me at home. They gave me a lot of support. My family brought me food and help me remember my medication. This allowed me to focus on recovery. People handle adversity differently. Some people think of it as a challenge and are motivated to overcome the challenge. People will work harder and overexert themselves to accomplish their goal. While others grow hopeless and depress. A student with an adversity may end up discouraged from doing schoolwork and give up on graduating. But I viewed it differently. I saw it as neither a challenge nor a hopeless endeavor; I saw it as another chapter in my life."
Dillon is an avid cook and plans to use his scholarship funds to take hands on cooking classes.
Winter '20 Recipient, Dorian Bauer
Dorian was diagnosed with CIC-DUX4 two years ago when he was eight years old, and has since received 16 rounds of chemo, a lung resection, radiation, and plans to have a bone marrow transplant. Dorian would like to use his scholarship funds to purchase an electric scooter so that he can keep up with his friends.
Winter '20 Recipient, Amanda Horton
Amanda was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma at 19 years old. In January 2020, Amanda had surgery where they removed approximately 50-60% of a tumor from the area in between her left shoulder and neck and confirmed that she had cancer. Beginning on February 10, 2020, Amanda received 5 rounds of inpatient chemo where she got three different chemotherapies.
Amanda plans to use her scholarship funds toward her Senior year of college where she is studying to receive a Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising. Amanda is a total rockstar and balances treatment, working, and studying full time at Delaware State University (not to mention maintaining a 4.0 GPA!)
"I plan to use this degree to give back to the cancer community in some way whether that be obtaining a job at a hospital, non-profit organization, etc."
Winter '20 Recipient, Katie Histing
Katie was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in her senior year of high school, enduring 17 rounds of chemotherapy, 35 blood transfusions and 7 surgeries. Katie is a beautiful artist and loves traveling. She can’t wait for COVID to get better so she can pursue the study abroad program at University of Nevada Reno!
In her free time she plays indoor soccer and is also a referee! We are so happy to have helped Katie accomplish her goals post treatment.
“No cancer is kind or easy to beat. This disease has rocked my family to its core, but I have learned and grown so much over what feels like an eternity. I was also still able to complete my school work and gradate high school with honors. I’ve learned how important and special it is to have family and true friends supporting and surrounding you with love and encouragement. Most importantly, I learned that I am physically and emotionally stronger than I ever thought I could be.”
Winter '20 Recipient, Walker Smallwood
Walker was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was fifteen years old and a sophomore in high school. He had to put his dream of playing D1 college baseball on hold and focus on treatment. "Being so close to death gave me a new perspective on life. I don't wake up in the morning. I GET to wake up in the morning. I don't HAVE to go to school, I WANT to go to school. Cancer made me thankful for every breath I take, and life is so much better when you truly see the blessings you have."