Kids & Family
Local Cancer Survivor Becomes Youngest Recipient of Philanthropy Award
Dylan Full, 9, battled brain cancer and then decided to give back, collecting thousands of dollars in change for cancer research.
A 9-year-old Wheaton boy has become the youngest recipient of a philanthropy award recently awarded to him by the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Suburban Life Publications reports.
Dylan Full recently received the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award from the Chicago Association.
Full was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012 and went on to undergo a 9-hour brain surgery, radiation and chemotherapy before he finally finished treatment in September 2013 and was deemed cancer-free, according to a Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals press release.
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In the summer of 2014, Dylan Learned of the Kid’s Making Change campaign, which is a grassroots fund-raising initiative introduces children to the power of philanthropy by encouraging them to collect loose change and donate it to a cause that is important to them, according to the news release.
Dylan set a goal to raise $2,500 for Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, the hospital where he received his cancer treatment, and ended up raising $7,040 by collecting change, holding lemonade stands and selling toys and books.
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“I just want to help kids like me,” Dylan said a Community Consolidated School District 89 press release.
Dylan, who is now a third-grade student at Arbor View Elementary School, got his school involved in the campaign and several classrooms took part in change collection activities, according to the news release.
“Arbor View School is happy to have been part of Dylan’s journey and support an amazing cause,” said Principal Dr. David Bruno in a District 89 press release.
Hosts from Eric and Kathy Radiothon in Chicago were impressed with Dylan’s effort that they used his funds to launch a matching gift challenge hour on the Radiothon to help inspire other callers.
“The overall event raised $1.4 million with over $43,000 coming in during Dylan’s hour alone,” according to the news release.
Dylan lives with his parents and three siblings in Wheaton.
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