October 31, 2007

Battle with cancer helps student choose career
CSUF grad named foundation coordinator for local nonprofit.
By JAIMEE LYNN FLETCHER
Staff Writer

A recent La Habra resident was named foundation coordinator for the Ronald Simon Family Foundation – a career move she chose after conquering cancer.

At age 20, Megan Woodmansee, 23, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's' lymphoma – a shocking discovery considering her health habits and lack of cancer in her family history, she said.

For six months she fought – she endured chemo therapy sessions and was declared in remission in 2004.

The Cal State Fullerton graduate said her experience with cancer influenced her to help disadvantage students. She hopes to use her story to inspire those who are struggling to conquer their own battle.

Question:What is the Ronald Simon Family Foundation?

Answer: It's a scholarship program that starts in the students' junior year in high school.

Currently they get a notebook computer, Princeton Review courses, college coaching, academic tutoring and a number of leadership and life skills courses – all sorts of thing that can prepare them to be self sufficient.

And then in college, they get $4,000 each year. It's a really neat program.

Q: Why did you choose to go into the nonprofit sector?

A: After being sick, I did some speeches trying to promote the Relay for Life. I contacted my old high school and gave a speech about cancer at an assembly.

At the end, I took my wig off and the entire stadium was completely silent.

It was one of those moments you know your life is going to be different. It was then that I realized how much I wanted to work with a nonprofit, to promote something that I believed in and make a difference.

Q: Why did you choose a scholarship program rather than a nonprofit focused on cancer research?

A: Working with a cancer nonprofit hit a little too close to home for me.

But I realized what I experienced helps me identify with these students. They are all extremely disadvantaged and they come from very harsh situations.

It's that whole thing about being down-and-out in life and feeling hopeless – when I was going through my illness I felt helpless in everything and nothing seemed to get better.

I've been through not the same thing, but a similar circumstance that these kids have gone through.

They've inspired me and I hope to inspire them.

Q: What are your goals as the new coordinator?

A:I want to help promote it and get more kids and schools on board and hopefully make the foundation a nationwide thing.

We also want to work with local businesses to establish an internship and mentorship program for the students.

Megan Woodmansee

Age: 23

Nonprofit: Ronald Simon Family Foundation – a scholarship program for disadvantaged youth

Job description: Coordinates scholarship programs for the students