Pediatric Cancer Survivors Receive Dan Brooks Memorial Educational Award

Thirty-eight pediatric cancer survivors are off to college after receiving the Dan Brooks Memorial Educational Award.

STONY BROOK, NY, July 29, 2016 — On Thursday, July 21, 38 students who had been treated at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital for childhood cancer, were the recipients of this year’s Dan Brooks Memorial Educational Award. The award ceremony took place at the Hilton Garden Inn on the Stony Brook University campus.

The Dan Brooks Memorial Educational Award was first given in 2003 to four student patients. As of 2016, 324 awards totaling over $238,000 have been presented to 117 patients. This year there were 38 recipients, the largest group in the award’s history.

Open to all graduates of the Pediatric Oncology Program at Stony Brook Children’s, this award helps with higher education costs, such as college or post-high school vocational training. It was established in memory of Dan Brooks, a young man who completed treatment for leukemia at Stony Brook, but later died in an automobile accident. Inspired by his experience with childhood cancer, Dan went on to obtain his degree in special education so he could help children facing challenges and this award reflects his dedication to education. Stony Brook has received many accolades for this one-of-a-kind program as it offers eligible graduates from the Stony Brook pediatric cancer program a small monetary award designated for the child’s post-high school education. It is given annually through four years of college.

This years’ recipients were:

Manuel Arriola, Suffolk County Community College
Alexis Attardi, Adelphi University
Amanda Baker, UNC Chapel Hill
Julianne Baker, Molloy College
Cheyenne Boulden, SUNY Albany
William Brennan, Stony Brook University
Dante Buonconsiglio, Suffolk County Community College
Ricardo Castillo, Full Sail University
Amanda Cirrincione, University of Alabama
Arianna Cotignola, Fashion Institute of Technology
Rebecca Davan, Suffolk County Community College
Stephone Davidson, Suffolk County Community College
Rachel Dennis, Utica College
Thomas Erler, SUNY Farmingdale
Joshua Fox, Suffolk County Community College
Nicholas Franzi, St. Joseph’s College
Kyle Gutman, Syracuse University
Ryan Harrington, St. Joseph’s College
Christina Heinzer, Suffolk County Community College
Brian Hembury, Suffolk County Community College
Drew Isacksen, Suffolk County Community College
Anmol Jaswal, Long Island University
Alyssa Korpi, Stony Brook University
Zachary Krackow, Suffolk County Community College
Haley Mahr, Suffolk County Community College
Dylan McGovern, Stony Brook University
Gregory Meisner, Penn State University
Megan O’Connor, Marymount Manhattan College
Tyler Ponzio, Limestone College
Rachel Ragone, Fordham University
Christian Ramos, Quinnipiac University
Michelle Riff, Fashion Institute of Technology
Alexandra Solowinska, Stony Brook University
George Sprague, Suffolk County Community College
Christopher Tucciarone, Western New England University
Sean Tully, SUNY New Paltz
Robert Whalen, Suffolk County Community College
Caitlin Zaugg, Stony Brook University

To read about more of the Cancer and Blood Disorder Support Services at Stony Brook Children’s that help children and families deal with many of issues around cancer and its treatment, click here.

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About Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
With 106 beds, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital is Suffolk County’s only children’s hospital. More than 8,000 children and young adults are discharged each year. Stony Brook Children’s has more than 160 pediatric specialists in over 30 specialties. The hospital is Suffolk County’s only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center and has a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is home to the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center and also offers a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program, Pediatric Cardiology Program, Pediatric HIV and AIDS Center, and Cystic Fibrosis Center. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookchildrens.org.