Student with CF wins scholarship for essay

Christine Padasak

Sophomore and childhood education major Christine Padasak of Springville, N.Y., is one of 40 students nationwide with Cystic Fibrosis who won a $2,500 scholarship from Solvay Pharmaceuticals based on her personal essay about living with the disease.

She is now eligible for a $10,000 scholarship from the company.  The winner will be selected by an on-line voting process.

Approximately 40 percent of the Cystic Fibrosis population is over the age of 18, which is one reason why Solvay Pharmaceuticals created the scholarship program known as SolvayCARES.  Each year, Solvay  awards scholarships totaling $100,000 to 40 CF patients who are in post-secondary education. 

Online voting process

The student who receives the most votes online by Oct. 19 will be named the Thriving Student Achiever. 

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

Thanks to tremendous advances in medical treatments, more young adults with CF are living longer, healthier lives than ever before, and many more are pursuing higher education.