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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 58 July 2024 F E A T U R E S T O R Y T he Ruth Cheatham Foundation (TRCF), a national nonprofit providing support to teens impacted by cancer founded by Doug and Lindsay Whittmore, recently held its Annual Gala for Teen Cancer Survivors at the Fairmont Hotel in Dal- las. Hosted by emcee Sam Gannon, the event awarded scholarships and financial aid to teen cancer fighters and survivors to help further their education. In 2024, the National Cancer Insti- tute projected that approximately 85,980 adolescents and young adults will face a cancer diagnosis in the United States. It's no secret that cancer treatment and college tuition are both expensive, and when these two factors are combined, many teenag- ers—despite their academic desires— must forgo obtaining a college degree in lieu of treatment. "Since our inception, our mission has been to bridge the educational oppor- tunity gap and provide a gateway to a higher quality of life for these young can- cer survivors," said Lindsay Whittemore, Executive Director and Co-Founder of TRCF. "The incredible support from the mortgage and servicing industry has been instrumental in growing our organization and expanding our reach to support more teen survivors in need." Teens with cancer encounter a variety of challenges, and regrettably, often receive very little assistance. According to TRCF, teen cancer survivors receive the least amount of support of any patient population, which is why TCRF offers four-year scholarships to help them continue their education. TRCF has granted 391 scholarships thus far, with a graduation rate of 81%. Some 32% of awardees are first-genera- tion college students. TCRF has provided $1.5 million in support to teen cancer survivors since its inception. According to Whittemore, the involvement of industry leaders has not only provided significant financial sup- port, but also awareness and advocacy for the cause. She said the participation in and attendance at the annual Gala has greatly boosted TRCF's mission, drawing in new donors and partners committed to making a difference in the lives of young cancer survivors. The Foundation's joint efforts with the mortgage servicing industry have al- MORTGAGE SERVICING INDUSTRY SUPPORTS EVENT HONORING TEEN CANCER SURVIVORS The Ruth Cheatham Foundation held their Annual Gala for Teen Cancer Survivors recently, offering scholarships to survivors to help further their college education. Executive Director and Co-Founder Lindsay Whittemore discusses the importance of financial contributions, awareness, and advocacy for the cause, and why "industry involvement is crucial to the success and impact of our events." By D E M E T R I A C . L E S T E R PHOTO CREDITS: SARAH HAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY AND PAULA KAY PHOTOGRAPHY