Paying It Forward.
Christopher Cook Scholarship Recipient. Aspiring Nurse. Beacon.
Meet Jean Cariello. We did, shortly after she was named one of the first four recipients of the Mission Christopher Cook Scholarship at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT in late 2015. Now finishing her junior year, Jean was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in May 2000 at the age of three. She endured three years of chemotherapy and was considered cancer-free five years after finishing treatment. She is now a nursing major. Her goal is to become a nurse practitioner working in a pediatric oncology unit at a children’s hospital.
“I’d never heard of anything similar to this,” she said of the scholarship named in honor of the son of SHU Athletic Director, Emeritus Don Cook.
Christopher lost his cancer battle in April 2014. Team SHU, which rides in the CT Challenge Bike Event (source of the financial backing for all Mission programs) formed shortly thereafter to push forward in his name. The money the team raises funds the scholarship to help SHU students who have battled cancer move beyond the disease in strong and inspiring ways.
“It is an honor to help recognize Christopher Cook’s courageous battle, a battle which is something that is near and dear to my heart. I hope to pay it forward by continuing to raise awareness for others who face similar obstacles,” concluded Jean.
