Scholarship program made possible by donations to Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital cancer fund
May 8, 2026 — Lee Health Foundation has awarded Barbara’s Friends Scholarships to four local high school seniors who are childhood cancer survivors and will pursue higher education following graduation this spring.
Endowed in memory of Frank Haskell, founder of Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital cancer fund, the scholarships support students who received hematology or oncology treatment for cancer or blood disorders at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Receiving this year’s Barbara’s Friends Scholarships are:
- Adis Sanchez Fernandez, a senior at Clewiston High School, who plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University to study nursing.
- Heaven Johnson, a senior at South Fort Myers High School, who plans to attend Florida SouthWestern State College to study nursing.
- Alaster Steven, a senior at Gateway High School, who plans to attend the University of South Florida to study biology, with plans to pursue a career in veterinary care.
- Felix Santiago Colon, a senior at Gateway Charter High School, who plans to pursue studies in exercise science or health science.
“We are honored to award this year’s recipients with scholarships that embody their next step in life. They have faced a journey that no child should ever face and yet they persevered. Barbara’s Friends was there to celebrate their end of treatment, and we are here now to celebrate their graduation and academic achievements,” said Amy Helgeson, director of development for Lee Health Foundation. “Programs like this do not happen without the support of our community. We are grateful for the support of Lexington Country Club, Madisen’s Match, and The Daniel R. & Anne M. Harper Foundation for making these scholarships possible.”
Each scholarship provides full funding to the college or university of the student’s choice, ensuring that financial barriers do not limit their future opportunities. To continue Frank Haskell’s legacy, community members are invited to donate at BarbarasFriends.org and note “scholarship” in the donation description.
About Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund
Established in 1995, Barbara’s Friends provides equipment, staffing and services to support lifesaving cancer care for children from across Southwest Florida at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida and has served over 12,000 patients since opening. No child is denied treatment or turned away as a result of their family’s inability to pay for care. For more information about Barbara’s Friends fund and supporting child patients in your community, please call Lee Health Foundation at (239) 343-6950 or visit BarbarasFriends.org
