Northwestern Mutual Offers Survivors and Siblings Affected by Childhood Cancer College Scholarships to Empower What’s Next for their Journey

Receiving a childhood cancer diagnosis is unimaginable, but it’s an unfortunate reality for more than 1,000 children worldwide, every day.

Kathleen Soller was 17 years old when she was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer—a moment that marked the beginning of a journey that would shape her life.

“I never imagined having to spend long stretches of my junior and senior year in the hospital, but I learned to take things one day at a time,” Soller said.

During her treatment, Soller remembers the tremendous support from her care team. They became more than medical professionals, they were her community, cheerleaders, and inspiration—celebrating good days and lifting her spirits on challenging ones.

“The connections I made with the care team stayed with me long after I was cleared from treatment,” Soller said. “Over the years, they became more than memories, they influenced my decision to study nursing during college and laid the foundation for my career path.”

Soller, now a registered nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, is a former Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program recipient. The program offers financial support to survivors and siblings affected by childhood cancer, celebrating what’s possible for their future and empowering these students to chase their dreams.

Since the program’s inception, 371 scholarships have been awarded to students, totaling more than $3 million and counting. Northwestern Mutual will fund an additional $500,000 in scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year by providing 50 students (25 survivors and 25 siblings) with scholarships up to $10,000 each to help them afford the college of their choice.

“We know families face significant challenges during and after treatment, and this scholarship program is one way we can help open doors for students who have already shown incredible strength,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation.

For Soller, and for many scholarship recipients, the impact of a diagnosis extends beyond treatment and continues to shape who they become. Nearly half of the Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program recipients pursue careers in healthcare – choosing professions that offer compassion and care to people facing similar health circumstances and leaving lasting imprints in the lives of others.

“With the scholarship, I felt a sense of relief that allowed me to wholeheartedly pursue a career that brings me purpose,” Soller said. “Despite how challenging it was at the time, my diagnosis gave me my superpower … being able to connect and provide a deep sense of empathy to each one of my patients.”

Applications for the Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program are now open until Feb. 2, 2026 on the Scholarship America website. The application for the Survivor Scholarship can be found here, and the application for the Sibling Scholarship is here.

For more information, visit https://northwesternmutual-foundation.com/scholarships.