Sarah SwaimFollow

One of five St. Baldrick's Foundation 2012 Ambassador Kids

With her heart set on making a difference in the lives of young children, 22-year-old Sarah is a college junior majoring in Early Childhood Development. But cancer has put those dreams on hold for awhile.

Diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia at the age of fourteen, Sarah endured 20 months of chemotherapy. In 2008, she celebrated five years in remission; then a checkup in June 2010 revealed her leukemia had returned. Sarah’s only hope for a cure was a stem cell transplant. She’s currently fighting complications from her treatment and the adjustment of her new immune system to her body.

But there is so much more to Sarah than cancer. She has a beautiful singing voice, craves Starbucks iced chai lattes, loves sunsets, and is a fan of everything Harry Potter. A member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, she also loves pandas (their mascot) and spending time with her family, boyfriend Patrick, and cat Maddie.

Sarah is a two time St. Baldrick’s shavee and the top fundraiser at her event in 2010, raising nearly $12,000. “I became a St. Baldrick’s volunteer to help make sure every child found the cure I had,” Sarah says. “I never dreamed that I would benefit from the research I helped fund. Every dollar raised for St. Baldrick's will touch a life like mine.”

Anxious to get healthy and continue pursuing her dreams, Sarah fights on.