Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 17, 2025
Cancer Survivor Wins Prestigious Scholarship to Pursue Pediatric Oncology Dream
TLDR
- Joshua Cottle secured the Friedman & Simon Academic Scholarship, gaining financial advantage for his pre-med studies and competitive edge in pediatric oncology.
- The $1,500 Friedman & Simon scholarship supports Cottle's systematic pre-med track, funded annually based on academic merit and community commitment.
- Cottle's journey from cancer survivor to aspiring pediatric oncologist inspires hope and improves future care for young patients facing similar challenges.
- A former cancer patient turned pre-med student won a scholarship by sharing his recovery journey through YouTube videos and community support.
Impact - Why it Matters
This story matters because it demonstrates how personal adversity can fuel professional purpose and community impact. Joshua Cottle's journey from cancer patient to aspiring pediatric oncologist highlights the critical importance of supporting young medical professionals who bring lived experience to their practice. His story inspires hope for cancer patients and shows how scholarship programs can transform lives while addressing healthcare workforce needs. For readers, it underscores the power of resilience and the profound difference that mentorship, family support, and educational opportunities can make in overcoming life's greatest challenges.
Summary
Joshua Cottle, a biology major at the University of Florida, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Friedman & Simon Academic Scholarship, a $1,500 grant from the personal injury law firm Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers L.L.P. This scholarship recognizes students whose academic achievements and life experiences align with the firm's values of community support and helping others in need. Cottle's inspiring journey from cancer patient to aspiring medical student captured the selection committee's attention through his powerful winning essay that detailed his battle with large-cell lymphoma.
Diagnosed as a high school freshman, Cottle found solace and purpose by documenting his cancer journey on YouTube, creating a supportive community that helped him feel less alone during his treatment. His recovery by December 2021 marked a turning point that solidified his commitment to pediatric oncology. Cottle credits his family, particularly his grandfather who overcame poverty to become a doctor and his mother who encouraged him throughout his illness, as his greatest inspirations. Now pursuing a pre-med track, he actively participates in his school's Health Science Student Organization and aims to use his personal experience to support other young cancer patients.
The Friedman & Simon Academic Scholarship represents the law firm's commitment to giving back to the community by supporting students who demonstrate resilience, academic excellence, and a dedication to helping others. Cottle's story exemplifies the transformative power of turning personal adversity into a driving force for positive change, making him an ideal recipient who embodies the scholarship's core values of community support and making a difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Cancer Survivor Wins Prestigious Scholarship to Pursue Pediatric Oncology Dream
