Throughout our 25th anniversary year, we’re featuring champions who’ve been nominated by the childhood cancer community for their outstanding contributions toward our mission of improving the lives of children with cancer and survivors.
Michael Albrecht is a four-time Ewing’s Sarcoma fighter - and an outstanding advocate in so many ways.
He was named a Children’s Cancer Cause College Scholar in 2020, and he currently serves on our Stewart Initiative Survivorship Advisory Council and our scholarship Selection Committee.
Although he is just 23 years old, Michael already has experience as a candidate for local public office. Motivated by his survivorship, he ran on a platform of Children Come First.
“Survivors are in no way obligated to become advocates, and they don’t owe their story to anyone. But it’s also true that we couldn’t make progress in the fight against childhood cancer without the voices of survivors like Michael standing up and speaking out,” said Jess Kean, Communications Director at Children’s Cancer Cause.
“Michael’s invaluable insight and perspective - as shared in our advisory meetings and on our blog - helps guide our survivorship programs and activities. We’re so inspired by him and grateful to have him in our corner.”
Michael was first diagnosed at age 14, undergoing chemotherapy and a limb salvage surgery. Four years later, the then-18-year-old suffered a stage four recurrence and was eventually given just a 15 percent chance of survival.
After suffering relapses of his cancer in 2021 and again in 2023, he’s had to pause his professional pursuits and is focused on living life to the fullest by traveling and enjoying time with his corgi, while remaining active in local politics as well as cancer advocacy organizations like ours.