Helt receives scholarship from American Cancer Society

Laura Helt of Mt. Pleasant has received a $1,000 scholarship from The American Cancer Society for the 2011 academic year. She is among 76 cancer survivors to receive the scholarsip.

?I am honored to receive this scholarship from the American Cancer Society,? said Helt. ?Cancer has changed my life in so many ways, but I see many positive blessings that have come out of such a negative thing. I am truly proud to be a cancer survivor.?

Helt was diagnosed at the age of 13 with Hodgkin?s Lymphoma. Last January, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and finished treatment in March.

This fall, Helt will attend the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Neb., studying nursing with a minor in music.

The American Cancer Society?s youth scholarship program enables young cancer survivors to demonstrate the academic and social accomplishments they have made in spite of their illness. Similar to other scholarships, the recipients were chosen based on their commitment to academic or vocational goals, current financial need, leadership ability and community service.