PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: April 19, 2010
Abigail K. Norbert of Cheverus High School
Wins National Scholarship
NATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN
WITH CANCER AWARDS $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP
PORTLAND, ME) Abigail K. Norbert of Cheverus High School has been honored as one of fifteen graduating high school seniors in the country to win a $1,000 college scholarship from SuperSibs!, the national non-profit organization that supports, honors and recognizes brothers and sisters of children with cancer.
Abigail is the daughter of Kim and Stephen Norbert of Portland, Maine.
SuperSibs! helps children redefine the "cancer sibling" experience by providing needed support services and by helping to draw out the greater and important lessons that may benefit these children later in their own lives. As part of these efforts, Abigail has been selected to receive the $1,000 SuperSibs! Achievement Scholarship in recognition of her ability to take a devastating life experience and turn it into a positive, strength-building experience for herself, as well as to create good in the lives of others.
In Abigail’s scholarship essay she spoke of learning to be a more compassionate person as a result of her brother’s illness. “His life and death have inspired me to live out his love for the world.” She continued, “I know that I must live and work for others in honor of him.” Her advice to other siblings who are bereaved is, “Keep your chin up. As much as life seems impossible without them, it does go on, with sweet memories in tow.”
Abigail’s story is both powerful and inspirational. Her brother, Eli, lost his battle with leukemia when Abigail was in 8th grade. Prior to his death, Abigail donated her bone marrow to her brother. “If his body had accepted my marrow instead of rejecting it three months later, things would be different. This fact still haunts me and has been hard for me to handle.” Abigail’s experience has led her to volunteer for Maine Children’s Cancer Fund’s annual fundraisers.
“We felt that Abigail was deserving of the $1,000 scholarship, serving as a tremendous role model for other siblings who follow in her footsteps. Her positive attitude and eagerness to help others as a result of her experience is truly remarkable,” said Stacy Dempsey, SuperSibs! Scholarship Committee Chair.
With this $1,000 national scholarship, Abigail will be attending college to pursue a degree in environmental engineering. In her scholarship essay Abigail said, “I hope to stop the pollution in our water and air, which can harm recovery for cancer patients. I would love to design a sustainable, affordable water filtration system for this purpose.”
About SuperSibs!
SuperSibs! is a national nonprofit organization that is changing the culture of pediatric oncology services to ensure that sibling support is integrated into all aspects of care to ensure total family healing. Over 18,000 new siblings are affected each year, as their brothers or sisters are diagnosed with cancer. SuperSibs! provides free direct comfort and care services to children and teens whose brothers and sisters have cancer across the U.S. and Canada and thousands more worldwide via www.supersibs.org to help them face the future with strength, courage and hope. For more about SuperSibs!, or to refer a family or make a donation, visit www.supersibs.org or call toll free, 866-444-SIBS (7427).
| 
