Chase Meacham from Columbus, Ohio was 14 years old when he became a survivor.

He survived an osteosarcoma diagnosis, which is a malignant bone cancer that attacks young people during their teenage years. He was able to survive 35 rounds of chemotherapy and five surgeries, as well as a relapse. Meacham claims that he was extraordinarily lucky.

“I emerged from the darkness and the blackness and, to my great surprise, found a world that was a thousand times sweeter than the one I had left,”Meacham is now 20 years old and has a titanium prosthetic for his left leg. “For the first time in my life, I was able to treasure each day. I could see things now; I could see just how wonderful it was to be able to walk, unbound by [wheel] chair or walker or crutches or cane.”

As many as possible childhood cancer survivorsMeacham understands that survivorship is a lifelong journey. His advocacy work allows him to continue to pass on his personal knowledge to those who are facing a lifelong battle with cancer. He was one 32 recipients to receive a Beyond the Cure scholarship through The National Children’s Cancer Society.

Meacham went through many difficulties after his treatment. However, college brought new rewards and challenges. NCCS was created to assist parents and students as they transition from high school to college.www.thenccs.org) compiled advice from other survivors:

* Be realistic about the college completion timeframe. An average student will take five years to complete college, even if there are no cancer survivors. It takes five to six years for a student to graduate, depending on the course requirements and course sizes.

* Choose instructors with teaching styles that complement your learning style. Academic advisors can help you find compatible teachers whether you are a fan of group work, class discussion, or individual face-to–face time with professors.

* Consider health insurance coverage. Even if there has been no tumor growth or relapse in many years, you will still need insurance. These plans may be offered by some universities.

* Get acquainted with other students with disabilities. Sharing your struggles with someone else can help you navigate the difficulties and prepare for what lies ahead.

For more information about Beyond the Cure scholarships, or to find support, please visit www.beyondthecure.org.