August 27, 2025
For students who have battled cancer, navigating the complexities of college admissions and financial aid can be particularly daunting. A dedicated organization is stepping in to provide essential support for these young individuals, ensuring they have the resources they need to pursue higher education.
Anthony Gallonio, a seasoned professional in the field of higher education admissions and financial aid, has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by students during the college application process. His perspective shifted dramatically when his daughter, Grace, was diagnosed with cancer at just one year old. This personal experience opened his eyes to the unique struggles of teens who have survived cancer and are now looking to further their education.
“I often found myself observing the resilience of these young patients,” Gallonio shared. “Despite their circumstances, they continue to plan for their futures, including college. A single missed application or deadline can drastically alter their educational journey, impacting their chances of receiving scholarships and acceptance into their desired schools.”
In response to this pressing need, Gallonio founded a nonprofit organization in 2011, aimed at providing free guidance and resources to families of childhood cancer survivors. This initiative is powered by a network of volunteers from across the nation, all committed to demystifying the college admissions process and fostering student success.
Understanding the Mission: The organization, named in honor of Gallonio’s daughter, stands for Growing, Recovering, and Achieving a College Education. Its mission is to eliminate barriers that childhood cancer survivors face when applying to colleges, while also offering support to their families throughout the application process and beyond.
“Our primary objective is to alleviate the stress associated with college admissions and financial aid for families already dealing with significant challenges,” Gallonio explained. “We aim to help them avoid common pitfalls that I have observed over the years.”
A study conducted in 2019 involving over 16,000 childhood cancer survivors revealed that only about half of them graduated from college, with those facing chronic health issues being even less likely to complete their degrees by age 25.
Many of the young survivors that Gallonio assists aspire to careers in fields that help others, such as healthcare, social services, or research. Successfully navigating college is just the beginning of their journey toward making a difference in the world.
How the Program Operates: The organization offers a variety of services, including financial aid advice, deadline tracking, clarification of complex terminology, and recommendations for colleges and programs that align with the students’ interests and needs. Most of the families served come from low- to middle-income backgrounds and often learn about the organization through referrals or partnerships with healthcare facilities.
“We provide the same level of support that families might seek from paid college consultants, but we do it at no cost,” Gallonio noted. “We cater to those who require assistance but may not have the financial means to hire a consultant.”
In addition to one-on-one support, the organization hosts in-person and online events for parents and caregivers, covering topics such as college expenses and scholarship opportunities.
Once students enroll in college, the organization continues to support them by acting as a liaison between families and educational institutions. This may involve advocating for additional financial aid or ensuring that students receive necessary accommodations through disability services. “We understand the challenges families face and can effectively communicate with schools on their behalf,” Gallonio added.
The organization currently has around 30 volunteers throughout the academic year, but Gallonio emphasizes the ongoing need for more volunteers from various educational backgrounds to assist pediatric cancer survivors.
Progress and Expansion: Since its inception, the organization has successfully aided over 300 young individuals in their pursuit of higher education, and Gallonio proudly shares that Grace, the foundation’s namesake, is now a healthy and thriving 15-year-old. Additionally, families have secured more than $3 million in scholarships through the organization’s advocacy efforts.
Olivia Falzone, a first-year student at a prominent college and a cancer survivor, was recently awarded a scholarship from the organization.
Over the years, the organization has broadened its reach beyond the Northeastern United States, now supporting prospective students nationwide. As its influence has grown, so too has its understanding of the diverse pathways available in postsecondary education.
Initially focused on helping cancer survivors gain admission to competitive colleges, the organization has expanded its mission to emphasize the importance of higher education in all forms, including vocational training and alternative educational pathways.
“We aim to dispel the myth that college is unattainable or prohibitively expensive,” Gallonio stated. “There are numerous affordable colleges across the country that families can consider.”
Looking ahead, Gallonio is contemplating a change to the organization’s acronym to reflect its broader mission, potentially renaming it to “Growing, Recovering, and Continuing Education.”
This fall, the organization plans to launch a mobile application and website, providing prospective students and their families with easy access to information about colleges, disability services, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. The app will also feature a personalized scholarship search tool, allowing users to input their information and receive tailored scholarship recommendations.
“Our goal is to create a comprehensive resource for families, free of charge, that streamlines the process for both our volunteers and the families we serve,” Gallonio concluded.