Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship
presented by Enmax
Seventy-five per cent of childhood cancer survivors experience at least one chronic health condition related to their cancer treatments, which may affect their ability to learn. These young people often miss more school and may fall behind peers, putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to post-secondary education. Managing the permanent after-effects of cancer and its treatment also puts financial strain on the family, making higher education a difficult option for some families.
If you are a survivor of childhood cancer, our scholarship fund was designed to level the playing field for you and your family. The Kids Cancer Care Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship, presented by Enmax, is a one-time award available to childhood cancer patients and survivors, for use in post-secondary studies. Scholarships are awarded based on the quality of application.
Our scholarship is an endowed fund, administered by Calgary Foundation.
Note: Once on the Calgary Foundation website, scroll down and you’ll find our scholarship listed as Kids Cancer Care Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is May 1 each year.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Rachel McInnes.
Spotlight
Kelly Hogarth
“I realize that by bringing my art form into people’s lives, I can turn a house into a home. That’s huge. Having a beautiful home is one of life’s big dreams. To be part of someone’s dream through design is amazing.” – Kelly Hogarth
Other childhood cancer scholarships
You may also qualify for the following scholarships:
The Brain Tumor Foundation – Youth Education Awards for Brain Tumour Survivors
Childhood Cancer Canada CIBC Survivorship Scholarship Program
Kids With Cancer Society Bursary
Bursary for parents of kids affected by cancer
If you are a student and have a child affected by cancer, you may qualify for the following scholarship:
Success stories
That’s all the stories!
About Derek Wandzura
The boy behind the Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship
presented by Enmax
This special scholarship is named in memory of Derek Wandzura, a charming little boy who, with his smile and engaging personality, could hold the attention of any room. On Christmas Eve in 1986, at the age of five, Derek was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. During his four-year cancer journey, Derek relapsed three times and endured countless medical procedures. He was the first child to receive a bone marrow transplant at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and later participated in a phase-one clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Even the toughest treatments could not stop the cancer and, at the age of nine, Derek passed away beside his mother, while they were sleeping on the morning of April 26, 1991.
The cancer treatments he received caused serious long-term side effects in Derek. His vision, speech and mobility were impaired, and he required a one-to-one aide when he returned to school. Derek also suffered cognitive impairment and struggled with learning issues. Although the treatments compromised Derek’s ability to learn, they never managed to break his spirit or his love of learning. Derek never did learn to read, but he loved school and loved being with his friends. When he returned to St. Bede Elementary School in Calgary, the entire school community celebrated with him by hosting a special Hat Day in his honour to make him feel comfortable with his hair loss.
With his bright blue eyes, cheerful personality and lively sense of humour, Derek made a lasting impression on everyone he met. To this day, St. Bede still awards the WISAGRA Awards in his memory. Derek’s mother Christine McIver, founder and CEO of Kids Cancer Care, still attends this special awards day at St. Bede’s every June.
The WISAGRA Award refers to scripture, “…and Christ grew in wisdom, age and grace.” It refers to the qualities of courage, Christ-like, giving, helping and turning the other cheek. Derek’s qualities of perseverance, determination (ability to rise above), sense of humour (ability to see life with humour) and his Christian attitude (loving and caring) are the basis of this award, which is awarded each year to deserving children who have also overcome adversity.
The Kids Cancer Care Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship, presented by Enmax, recognizes similar qualities in young people who have overcome adversity because of childhood cancer. As the namesake of the scholarship, Derek’s spirit lives on in the countless young people who live their dreams, thrive and do great things with the help of a scholarship in his name.
