First Annual Survivors Scholarship Now Accepting Applications

From Chalik & Chalik Law Offices in Florida:


A new college scholarship has been announced by Chalik & Chalik Law Offices. Aimed at those who have survived a serious medical diagnosis and are moving forward in their lives, the $1,000 scholarship is open to anyone attending college or law school in the U.S. this spring.

“Because our firm handles medical malpractice and negligence cases, we often see the enduring tragedy that serious medical conditions can create,” said attorney Debi Chalik. Debi is one-half of the team for which the firm is named – her husband, Jason is the other founding partner. “Whether the diagnosis is cancer or any other life-threatening illness, the immediate focus is on getting better. That’s as it should be, but all the money and effort comes at the beginning of what will be a life-long process of recovery. We want to help survivors achieve their goals and overcome the next challenge in their lives.”

The first annual Survivors Scholarship asks applicants to submit a short personal essay about how their cancer or significant medical issue influenced their choice to pursue a higher education . Applications can be found at the bottom of this page. The deadline for submission is 1/12/2015 and the winning applicant will be notified by 2/1/2015.

“I find a great deal of hope and encouragement in the stories of people who have overcome real health setbacks,” said Chalik. “The Survivors Scholarship is our firm’s way of returning some of that encouragement to a student, a way to give them a little recognition for what they’ve accomplished.”

Academic requirements are set at a current GPA of 3.0 or above. Students entering college for the first time will have to document acceptance at an accredited institution, and all applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents. The award will be paid directly to the college in the student’s name to help with tuition or materials costs.

The first annual Survivors Scholarship was inspired by the Chalik’s interaction with a local charity, Debbie’s Dream Foundation. DDF was started by Debbie Zelman, a stomach cancer survivor, and her foundation is now one of the most active cancer research advocates in the U.S., lobbying to increase federal and state funding for research. The scholarship was also inspired by Debi’s mother, Eva Weissberger, who is a breast cancer survivor, and another family member, Royce Sagenkahn, who succumbed to appendix cancer two months ago.

At the heart of DDF is the Patient Resource Education Program. PREP networks newly diagnosed cancer patients with mentors who can guide them through their treatment and recovery. Debbie is a neighbor of the Chalik family and Jason Chalik sits on the foundation’s board of directors.

Chalik & Chalik Law Firm is a firm specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and negligence cases. With offices across Florida, the bilingual firm serves Florida’s diverse community at all income levels and without regard to race, gender, or ethnicity. This includes everything from acting as a buffer between the firm’s clients and insurance companies, all the way to aggressive representation in court. The goal is the same – achieving a full and fair settlement for their clients. Initial consultations are free and no fees are collected unless.


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