One of five St. Baldrick's Foundation 2014 Ambassadors Read more of Lauren's story on our blog. Lauren is a 16-year-old honor student who loves to shop, dance, and play the viola. She has always had a passion for travel and for giving back to her community, and she spent the summer before her freshman year of high school touring Europe and volunteering at a local church summer camp. The following summer was quite different. Lauren was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in June 2012 when she was 14 years old. While most girls her age were concerned with boys, hair, and the latest fashion, Lauren’s cancer diagnosis made her realize what really matters. “Life has become more precious,” Lauren says. “I appreciate my family more and value our time together.” Lauren spent more than half of the last year in the hospital, but she was determined to stay on track with her studies, taking online classes and completing the coursework from her hospital bed. Now a junior in high school, Lauren has finished treatment and is looking ahead to a bright future. She plans to study biology in college and go on to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist, where she will devote her career both to the treatment of kids with cancer and to the research to find cures. __________ Lauren's story, as written by her family: Lauren is an intelligent, outgoing, and courageous 16 year old. Before being diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma, Lauren was a competitive dancer and played the viola. In addition, she excelled in school and was active in many educational organizations at her school. Even with the large amount of chaos that existed this past year, Lauren managed to receive all "A's" and completed two advanced placement classes, all while attending online school. Through her battle with cancer, Lauren has encouraged and inspired many and not wavered in triumph. Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.