DAVENPORT, IOWA (March 8, 2019) — Gilda’s Club Quad Cities is excited to announce the following recipients, awarded $1,000 each, of the It’s Always Something Teen Essay Contest:
- Gabriela Loiz, Davenport, Iowa
- Ryan Lukkarinen, Muscatine, Iowa
One of the receiving students is a cancer survivor. The other was impacted by a family diagnosis.
A panel of celebrity judges – including Denise Hnytka, John Marx and Gilda’s Club Board Chair Drew Dennis — scored 18 applicants on the categories of Personal Voice, Clarity and Style and Impression.
“It was brave of the students to put their stories to paper to share with us,” said Kelly Hendershot, Gilda’s Club Program Director. “Children and teens impacted by cancer experience a wide variety of emotions that can last well into adulthood. In addition to being a financial resource, we hope the essay writing was also a good exercise for the students in giving a voice to their experience.”
Recipients will be recognized on March 15, 2019 at Rhythm City Casino Resort during Gilda’s Club’s Primary Event featuring Maddie Poppe.
About Gilda’s Club
Free of charge, Gilda’s Club Quad Cities provides support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer. As a Cancer Support Community affiliate, we are part of the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States. Our global network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer.