NFCR Youth Ambassador Program
The NFCR Youth Ambassador program is an opportunity for top high school students to serve as leaders in raising awareness and support for cutting-edge cancer research.
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Ambassadors can combine their passion for sports, science, and/or the arts with community service to bring new energy to cancer research fundraising.
Featured Stories
Ambassadors can combine their passion for sports, science, and/or the arts with community service to bring new energy to cancer research fundraising.
We were both drawn to fundraise for the National Foundation for Cancer Research because of personal experiences we’ve had with loved ones who’ve had cancer. After Taliah’s sister was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2024, she was inspired to start a fundraiser. That summer, she invited Lila, who was working in a lab at New York University conducting research to expand knowledge of the disease, to join.
With threats facing scientific research as a whole, we viewed this cause as especially urgent and relevant to the present day. Our next step involves a community based project that spreads awareness and raises money through a self-run daycares service and hosting local art events.
For their efforts, Talia and Lila were invited to and recognized at the 2025 NFCR Global Summit for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship where they were able to meet other community leaders and hear directly from the researchers and business professionals who are pushing cancer cures forward.
Hi! I’m Melanie, a junior at Radnor High School and proud NFCR Youth Ambassador. I joined the program after a close family friend was diagnosed with cancer and I wanted to make a difference. With a strong interest in global health, advocating and fundraising for NFCR felt like the perfect way to support those affected by the disease.
As a Youth Ambassador, I’ve connected with amazing people in my community and gained meaningful experiences. During one fundraiser, a cancer survivor told me that what I was doing truly mattered—it inspired me to keep going and reminded me that even as students, our voices and actions can spark real change.
To anyone considering joining, I’d 100% recommend it. Being part of NFCR means becoming part of a global movement to end cancer and using your efforts to make an impact.
For NFCR Youth Ambassador Renee Chou, the fight against cancer is deeply personal. After watching her father battle cancer and ultimately survive thanks to innovative treatments that went beyond traditional chemotherapy, she felt called to take action.
“I chose to be a Youth Ambassador because I’m passionate about the medical field and want to pursue oncology in the future,” Renee shared. “Through my efforts, I hope to spread awareness and raise funds that support research for the kinds of treatments I know can make a difference and save lives.”
Renee put that passion into action by sharing her story with members of her community. She spoke about her journey, her connection to NFCR’s mission, and her commitment to helping advance lifesaving research.
How it Works:
Step 1: Complete the Youth Ambassador Interest Form
After submitting the form, you will receive a couple of emails. One will come from Brian Wachtel, our Executive Director and Chief Development Officer. The second will come from David Webber, our Marketing Manager, who works directly with our Youth Ambassadors.
Step 2: Brainstorm Your Idea
Start thinking about an event or awareness campaign you would like to plan. Once you have a few ideas, reach out to David Webber. He will help you refine your concept and begin shaping an action plan to reach your goals.
If you are having trouble coming up with an idea, David can also help walk you through examples of events that other Youth Ambassadors have successfully hosted.
Step 3: Draft and Submit Your Action Plan
After drafting your action plan, you will review it with our team. This process will help ensure you have a strong understanding of what is needed to execute your event. Our team is always available to support you along the way.
Step 4: Host Your Event
This is the fun part. As you host your event or campaign, be sure to take plenty of photos and share them with us on social media so we can help amplify your impact.
Step 5: Complete the After-Action Report
After your event, reach back out to David with a short written summary of what you did and how you feel it went. David will then schedule an after-action meeting with you to review what worked well, any challenges you encountered, and how the plan can be improved for future events.
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