Announcing: The Typically Canadian OPFFA Scholarship
Typically Canadian has initiated a new scholarship with the University of Ottawa for young Canadian cancer survivors.
Our Vision and Mission
To create a sustainable Typically Canadian Scholarship for every university in Canada, and to provide young Canadian cancer survivors between the ages of 17 and 24 with financial support for post-secondary education.
Description of Scholarship
When young adults are diagnosed with cancer, they are faced with many challenges. Three of the most difficult barriers to overcome include financial, emotional, and physical. The Typically Canadian OPFFA Scholarship is targeted towards young Canadian cancer survivors who are pursuing post-secondary education. These young adults face the added burden of selecting universities, registering for courses, and mapping out their futures while going through this difficult time in their lives.
No matter what type of cancer a person is diagnosed with, it will have a physical impact on the patient. Many cancers require surgery for an effective cure. This involves the patient undergoing preparation, surgery, recovery, and the intake of antibiotics to fight infection. Major surgery is very taxing on the human body and requires a large amount of energy and time to heal. Aside from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments are alternative and supplementary methods for cancer treatment. Chemotherapy kills not only the bad cancer cells in the body, but the good cells as well. Radiation treatment can leave the body in a state of shock and may be painful for the patient.
Young students are at a very critical point in their lives. They are developing into the men and women of the future and creating their life path. The emotional stresses that come with cancer are often more than one can handle on his or her own, so it is important to recognize that young Canadians have more to deal with than the average survivor. Young adults who are diagnosed with cancer must realize that their lives have changed forever. They have to undergo annual tests, involve family and friends, and sometimes deal with physical changes to their bodies.
Finally, being diagnosed with cancer can be very costly – even though Canadians have such an excellent healthcare plan. If a student is already enrolled in university, they will have to pay for the tuition costs even if they fail to complete the semester. Along with these costs come the costs of living, such as rent, electricity, and other household services. When students are admitted to hospitals for treatment, they must often stay for long periods of time. Telephone and television charges are not covered by private health plans, and can become extremely expensive over time. In addition, if a private room is desired additional charges are usually not covered by private health plans. Chemotherapy is always almost administered as a cautionary measure to eliminate the disease. Very few types of chemotherapy treatments are covered by OHIP, so patient expenses for new medications can easily be in the area of $10,000.
The Typically Canadian OPFFA Scholarship will help young Canadian cancer survivors overcome some of the challenges they experience and give them the chance to follow their dreams.
Scholarship Amount
Two to four scholarships will be awarded in late September at the annual gala for scholarship award recipients. The scholarship amounts will vary depending on the amount of money raised and the number of scholarships offered.
