Bursary Program

In 2005, the INFUSION Bursary Program was created. Due to the cost of cancer treatment, a patient and their family will often incur a great financial burden. One study found that 1 in 10 survivors are saddled with $25,000 in cancer-related debt. There are hundreds of cases in Ontario alone where families cannot afford to send their children to university because of the indirect expenses associated with cancer treatment. Across Canada, programs to support families and cancer patient survivors are very minimal. Research by the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario suggests that:

When a child is in cancer treatment, families face tremendous out-of-pocket costs. These include accommodation when traveling for treatment, food away from home, and childcare for the siblings of the ill child. Moreover, it is not uncommon for a parent to have to leave work to care for the sick child, resulting in a loss of family income. This scenario can consume approximately 1/3 of the average family’s after-tax income. In total, Ontario’s families face costs of $8 million each year due to out-of-pocket expenses and loss of income related to their child’s treatment.

Research funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, found that “half of survivors said, ‘their financial and emotional issues were harder to face than the physical issues, and that these needs weren't being met by their doctors.’”

We would like to be pioneers in supporting young cancer survivors and patients so that they may have a long, healthy and successful life; a second chance to thrive!

INFUSION's Bursary Program offers young Canadians an opportunity to attend any post-secondary institution in Canada. A $2000 bursary is rewarded to individuals each year.

2007 Bursary Recipients
Sheldon Chow
David Perecko
Erin Bodyk 
Kate Degrace
Katie Graham

2006 Bursary Recipients
Ihab Younes
Andrea Michel
Erika Emerson 
Teri Stone
Kaeleigh Barney
Jacob Quiring

2005 Bursary Recipients
Stephen Plunkett
Brandon Henderson
Ryan Dobbs

2008 INFUSION Canada Bursary Program

Download Application Forms (Microsoft Word)

Download Application Forms (PDF)

Download Poster for your school, hospital or community centre (PDF)

We are looking for a young cancer patient or survivor who has dreams of completing a post secondary education, but struggles financially. The ideal candidate is eager to share their story with others to spread awareness about childhood cancer. We value a willingness to volunteer and help other young cancer patients and survivors in communities across Canada.

A profile of each bursary recipient will be published in the INFUSION Canada Newsletter. Recipients’ profiles will also be featured on the INFUSION Canada website, accompanied by a photo. Recipients may also be invited to be part of additional promotional events, publications, and news stories.

Selected Applicants will receive the following support from INFUSION Canada:

• Payment of $2,000 made directly to your post-secondary institution
• Information from INFUSION about support programs and fundraising events for cancer patients and survivors

We thank all applicants for their interest in the INFUSION Canada Bursary Program. We encourage you to join the INFUSION Canada Cancer Survivor Network to find out more about other programs offered by INFUSION Canada.

Instructions & Deadlines

DEADLINE EXTENDED: January 31, 2009. Applicants may send in completed applications via email to bursaries@infusioncanada.org or by mail. Applications must be received by January 31, 2009. Please review the Application Checklist carefully before submitting your application package – late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

All paper letters (reference letters, medical note, letter of interest, and letter from the registrar) must be post marked by January 31, 2009. They can be scanned and emailed or mailed to:

INFUSION Canada
Bursary Program
P.O. Box 46002, College Park
777 Bay St.
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2P6

Decisions will be made and successful applicants notified by February 20, 2009. Bursary payouts will be available for Summer 2009 or the beginning of the 2009-2010 School year.

If you have any questions, please email bursaries@infusioncanada.org

Eligibility

To be eligible for the INFUSION Canada Bursary Program, applicants must:

• Be a childhood cancer patient or survivor (verification from your doctor will be required to provide proof of diagnosis – see Application Checklist for more details)

• Be enrolled in a post secondary program at a Canadian College or University as of January 2008 (proof of registration required)

• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and a permanent resident of Ontario

• Demonstrate financial need by completing the Budget Form provided

• Complete and submit the Bursary Application Form by November 16, 2008. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted under any circumstance.

Note: An individual can receive the bursary only once during their post secondary education. If you are not selected as a recipient, you are encouraged to re-apply in future years.

Application Checklist

Before submitting your application, please make sure you satisfy the eligibility requirements and have completed all sections of the application, including:

• A completed Bursary Application Form
  
• A personal letter of interest answering the following question: How has your experience with cancer influenced your personal values and your education and career aspirations? (Please note that this letter is a core component of the application, and should therefore be treated as such – this letter is our way of getting to know you and should reflect your personality.)
  
• TWO letters of reference: one academic-based letter from a teacher and one character-based letter from an employer, volunteer coordinator, etc. (Reference letters from relatives will not be accepted)
  
• Proof of registration at your college or university (e.g. Letter from the registrar verifying status as a full or part-time student. If you are entering your first year, a letter of acceptance is acceptable, but must be followed up with a letter from the registrar as soon as possible)
  
• A letter from your physician verifying your cancer diagnosis and the date of diagnosis (This information will be kept strictly confidential and used by INFUSION Canada only as a means of determining applicant eligibility for the Bursary Program)
  
• Completed Budget Form (All financial information will be kept confidential and will be used by INFUSION Canada only as a means of determining applicant eligibility for the Bursary Program)
  

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