Children's Cancer Cause College Scholars like Maurquez receive a financial scholarship to help with academic expenses, and each scholar commits to undertaking a volunteer project of their choosing related to childhood cancer advocacy, with support and mentorship from the Children's Cancer Cause team.
“I want to be an example to other survivors, proving that we can all rise above our circumstances with resilience and distinction to achieve a greater good.”
Maurquez, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when he was six years old.
“As a result of the chemotherapy and treatment, I experienced blindness, seizures, hypertension, and memory loss,” he told us.
Maurquez has overcome so much and has a deep passion for serving the community and fighting for justice. He’s a first-generation, low-income student who graduated as one of four valedictorians in his high school class and will attend Stanford University in the fall to study philosophy and pre-law.
He plans to become a public interest attorney in order to help marginalized people who can’t afford effective legal counsel. Towards that goal, he’s already volunteered with a local juvenile court program and interned with a law firm.
“I owe much of who I am to my mother,” he said. “My momma is determined, intentional, and supportive of everything I do. She raised all ten of her kids by herself and made it look easy, even when times were very difficult.”
“Witnessing my mother remain optimistic and courageous during my treatment has molded me into the young man I am today.”
Maurquez’s Advocacy Project
In the spirit of serving those in need, Maurquez will offer free support with navigating the college admissions process and finding scholarships for other cancer survivors and families.
