Zaching Against Cancer

Today, two leukemia survivors from 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 were awarded 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 Scholarships. Through their cancer journeys, their families formed a strong bond while navigating the challenges of treatment and recovery together. 💪💙

𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗹 “𝗔𝗯𝗯𝗶” 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘆 was 15 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and began her cancer journey. A dedicated soccer and lacrosse player, Abbi endured an intensive course of treatment before proudly “ringing the bell,” marking the completion of her treatment in the spring of 2026. Inspired by her experience, Abbi became a passionate advocate for pediatric cancer patients and their families. She founded and served as president of her school’s “Mustangs 4 the Cure” club, which raises awareness for pediatric cancer through letter-writing campaigns, educational initiatives, and other outreach efforts.

In addition, Abbi has served as an ambassador for the Giant Food Pediatric Cancer Campaign and The Children’s Cancer Foundation. Throughout her treatment, she remained actively involved in her school community as manager of the soccer and lacrosse teams and as a member of the National Honor Society, Thespian Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. She also served as Outreach Manager for the Marriotts Ridge High School Jewish Student Union and volunteered with organizations and events including Best Buddies Allied Sports and the Columbia Festival of the Arts. Her outstanding academic achievements and commitment to service have earned her admission to the University of South Carolina, where she plans to major in Public Health.

𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗽𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘇 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘇 was diagnosed with leukemia in 2025. A dedicated martial artist, Guadalupe has practiced karate for ten years and has served as an instructor for the past two years. Despite the physical demands of her illness and treatment, she returned to her dojo to continue mentoring and teaching fellow students.

Guadalupe has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to her community. She has maintained an impressive GPA while pursuing a rigorous academic curriculum. Outside the classroom, she has been actively involved in extracurricular activities that reflect both her creativity and leadership abilities. As a member of the Art Club, she collaborates with other organizations to design promotional materials and create artwork supporting charitable initiatives. She is also a member of the National Art Honor Society. Through Key Club, Guadalupe has organized card-writing projects for veterans, participated in tutoring programs, and helped coordinate food drives. Her volunteer service at the Miller Branch Library further highlights her dedication to serving others and supporting her community.

This fall, Guadalupe will attend Goucher College, where she plans to study Biology before pursuing medical school. Her medical team at Johns Hopkins shared that “her innate curiosity and drive to never stop learning, along with her sincerity and compassion, is a rare combination that will truly make her an exceptional physician.”

Today we had the honor of presenting 3 more $2500 𝐙𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 Scholarships to incredible students whose strength, perseverance, and compassion continue to inspire us all. 💛💪

Our first scholarship of the day was presented to...
Kean Bot Ba Njock from Walt Whitman High School.. At the age of 16, Kean was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the left tibia after enduring years of pain. A passionate soccer player since the age of three, Kean’s treatment forced him to step away from the field, but it also inspired him to channel his determination into his academic pursuits. During this time, he became a member of the International Baccalaureate program and actively participated in mechanical engineering projects, demonstrating both resilience and a strong commitment to his education and future goals.

Kean took on window-cleaning jobs to earn money that he sent to his grandmother’s village in Cameroon to help purchase school supplies and soccer equipment for local students. He has also volunteered with Nourishing Bethesda for the past four years and dedicates time to tutoring fellow high school students.

In addition, Kean completed an internship at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, where he collaborated with a small team of students to design and build underwater robots known as SeaPerch. Through this experience, he witnessed firsthand how robotics and engineering can positively impact people’s lives, from supporting agricultural communities to assisting the elderly. Inspired by these experiences, Kean plans to pursue a degree in engineering.