Bursary & Education Programs

blog-post-hero03One program that we are particularly proud of is our Survivor Education Bursary Program for BC Children’s Hospital Oncology/Hematology/BMT patients. As we’ve identified in our other programs, a cancer diagnosis will almost certainly take a financial toll on a family. It is difficult enough to try to go to post secondary as a young adult who hasn’t had cancer, so imagine what it would be like to take this next step in life after having come through such an experience.  For many of our teens and young adults, not having any financial support makes the dream of a post-secondary education impossible to reach.

That’s where we come in.

Did you know: We are the only organization in B.C. that currently offers bursaries to childhood cancer survivors. We are also the only one that doesn’t require a minimal grade point average in order to apply. As long as the young adult went through our Oncology/Hematology programs at BCCH, they are eligible for a bursary and should apply. All we ask is that they give back to help us make a difference for the next families that need the support.

There are two opportunities a year to apply for a bursary. The deadline of the bursary that covers the Summer or Fall semester (from May- Aug or Sept-Dec) is June 15th. The deadline of the bursary that would cover the Winter/Spring semester (from Jan – April) is Nov 15th. Applicants can apply online for the bursary at any time prior to the deadline dates. You can continue to apply for a bursary award each deadline, however new applicants will always have priority, along with those who continually volunteer.

NEW AS OF JUNE 15th, 2023– we are trialing a sibling bursary award addition to our programming. We are very excited to be able to extend our support further to siblings of a child affected by cancer or blood disorder at BCCH with a few bursary award opportunities. You must be a sibling who did (or does) live in the same household to qualify (please contact us for extenuating circumstances regarding this), and we absolutely are including siblings by marriage as long as you share at least one parent, and bereaved siblings as well. The requirements in terms of reporting and volunteering will be the same. We understand the financial and emotional impact of a childhood cancer diagnoses, which has a domino effect across a family, and we want to uplift siblings to be able to achieve their career dreams as well, removing potential financial barriers. This is a trial of this program and the requirements may shift as we explore the need and support available. We will award 3 x $1000 bursary awards this round (for the June 15th, 2023 deadline applicable to the summer or fall term), and it will be granted on a first come, first served basis for now, as we anticipate it’s popularity. 

We also have a Conference Education Grant available to a nursing staff at BCCH that wants to further their education in Oncology/Hematology through attending APHON conferences. These are awarded after the Survivor Education Bursaries are given out, if there are funds available to do so.  Applicants can apply any time prior, but application must be received within two weeks of the conference.

We really care about the next generation of kids and that is why we want to help them make that transition into the next steps of their lives. They are the future and we want to help them become the people that they are meant to be. The goal of this program is to support the advancement of knowledge, skills and experience for patients/survivors and health care professionals involved in the Pediatric Oncology/Hematology/BMT Programs.

For more information on bursary requirements & application, click the button below.

Bursary Info & Application

 

Do you have additional questions about our Bursary Programs? Please contact:

Trish Shirra– Balding for Dollars Administrator
Email: trish.shirra@cw.bc.ca
Phone: 604-875-2345 ext 2497 *please note, number records voice messages only.

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