West Chester Cancer Survivor Awarded $10,000 College Scholarship

WEST CHESTER, PA— West Chester resident Althea Mae Hutchinson, who was diagnosed with cancer when she was just one-year-old, is now cancer free and going to college.

The Drexel University freshman is studying art history and political science with the hope of landing a job helping those in need.

Thanks to Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program, through the firm’s foundation, Hutchinson is on her way to reach her goal.

Northwestern recently awarded Hutchinson two $5,000 scholarship through its scholarship
programs designed to ease the financial burden on families affected by childhood cancer by helping with tuition.

A constant reminder
Hutchinson wears a prosthetic eye, a reminder of her bout with cancer and a motivator to earn a college degree and work to help others in need.

Hutchinson said the scholarship provides her with the opportunity to study political science and continue her philanthropic and advocacy efforts.

“It is undeniable that my medical history and tumor are a core part of myself and my identity,” Hutchinson said. “They are the root of my self-advocacy, my confidence, my sense of self and the center of my drive to help others however and whenever I can, through philanthropy or advocacy.”

Since 2012, the scholarship program has contributed more than $35 million to finding better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while providing family and patient support to help with the aftermath of cancer treatment.

More information is available on the foundation website here.

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