putting teens first.

Cancer doesn’t just take a toll on the body—it disrupts lives emotionally, academically, and financially. At The Ruth Cheatham Foundation (TRCF), we’re here to change that. We provide the scholarships and support programs teen cancer survivors need to pursue their dreams of higher education and build a brighter future.

Impact at a glance

Our numbers tell a story of transformation.

Our Support Programs: Turning Hope into Success

Each of our programs is designed to address the unique challenges faced by teen cancer survivors, ensuring they thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Starting college can be overwhelming. Our Educational Support boxes are packed with school supplies and resources to help scholars thrive from day one.

170 boxes sent nationwide in 2024.

Struggling with coursework after missing school due to treatment? Our tutoring program ensures scholars excel.

300+ hours of tutoring provided.
0% drop rate among participants.

The journey is easier with friends who understand. TRCF connects scholars for regular meetups to discuss school, overcome challenges, and to build community with others who truly understands life after cancer.

30+ meetups facilitated in 2024 alone.

TRCF is excited to launch “Care and Comfort Kits” in partnership with The I’m Not Done Yet Foundation!

This program provides personalized care boxes to scholars who have experienced a relapse of their cancer or have been required to take time away from their education due to cancer-related health complications. These care boxes are designed to bring comfort, encouragement, and essential items to support their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
15 kits delivered in our 2024 soft launch.

Why This Matters

Teen cancer survivors face immense challenges—lost school time, financial strain, learning challenges, physical limitations, and emotional burdens. TRCF focuses our support on young adults who have been hit particularly hard by the physical and financial burdens of cancer, using data to create impactful programs that truly work.

Our scholars succeed because we:

Remove financial barriers with scholarships.
Provide academic tools through tutoring.
Build peer connections for emotional support.
Offer comfort and essentials during health setbacks.

Every program is designed to meet the real needs of survivors, ensuring they can achieve their goals and build a brighter future.

Words from our Scholars

Any cancer diagnosis means a harsh physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial struggle for the patient and their family. These struggles don’t end after you get the clean scan at the end of treatment. I would not have been able to attend college without the TRCF Scholarship and I am determined to succeed in the face of my hardships.

- Ellen

Beyond the physical aftermath, cancer took a jab at my zeal for life. Dimming the eyes of innocence I once saw the world with, life didn’t feel so magical anymore. The Ruth Cheatham Foundation helped ease the financial barrier and allowed me to focus on being the best student I can be. Given everything I went through with cancer, I don’t want to miss out on my education simply due to financial reasons.

- melaine

I want to be able to share my life with others and help inspire them to fight through whatever life throws at you. I want to encourage others to know that your strength of character grows through trials. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do!