Engelhardt Family Foundation Awards $250,000 Challenge Grant to NCCS

ST. LOUIS - Feb. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- The Engelhardt Family Foundation has awarded The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) a $250,000 challenge grant over five years for the Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program.  The match will provide college scholarships to childhood cancer survivors.

"We are encouraged by the growing number of childhood cancer survivors,” said Sue Engelhardt.  “Our hope is that our $1 million goal will equip many of these cancer survivors with the financial resources to achieve their life's goals through education. They've certainly earned it!"

The Engelhardt Family Foundation’s mission is to support education, children's causes, and the arts. Ms. Engelhardt is also an NCCS board member.

NCCS anticipates awarding 40 scholarships annually to childhood cancer survivors who have demonstrated the ability to overcome the difficult challenges of cancer with determination and motivation.  The application process is competitive and applicants must demonstrate how their cancer experience has strengthened their character, intensified their love of life and instilled a sense of duty to truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Scholarship recipients are program “ambassadors” who are required complete approximately 15 hours of service to the organization that accomplishes one or more of the following:

·         Raises awareness about the NCCS

·         Enhances  the organization’s programs

·         Promotes survivorship

·         Supports children with cancer currently in treatment

The organization has already received a $10,000 grant from the BNSF Railway Foundation and a $15,000 grant from the Energizer Charitable Trust that will count towards the challenge.  Both BNSF and Energizer have been previous supporters of the scholarship program.

NCCS created the Beyond the Cure (BTC) survivorship program to help childhood cancer survivors integrate the cancer experience into their lives.  This includes educating survivors on the challenges that lie ahead and most importantly, to celebrate survivorship.

The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to improving the quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their families worldwide. The NCCS serves as a financial, emotional and educational resource for those in need at every stage of illness and recovery. For more information call 314-241-1600, visit www.theNCCS.org , www.beyondthecure.org or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thenccs; http://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheCure.