Nationwide awards $10,000 scholarship to Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champion
Natalie Gray of Powell honored at First Shot to Fight Cancer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship
When eighteen-year-old Natalie Gray lined up to take the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to open the 2025 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course, her swing symbolized the courage and resiliency of all kids affected by cancer.
Nationwide, a founding partner of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship professional golf tournament, honored Natalie’s journey by surprising her with a $10,000 college scholarship before the opening round of play at the official Korn Ferry Tour Finals event.
After taking the First Shot, Natalie reflected, “I was so shocked. It was a total surprise. This money will definitely help me reach all my goals and dreams of becoming a nurse. It means the absolute world to me.”
Natalie’s story
In 2021, thirteen-year-old Natalie’s life took a dramatic turn. Once an active teen, she began suffering from stress fractures, headaches, and neck pain. Initially, she attributed it to her busy lifestyle, but the symptoms worsened. Her condition became so severe that her family rushed her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where an MRI revealed an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor. She was admitted immediately, underwent two major brain surgeries, and had a permanent shunt placed.
Since then, Natalie has faced chemotherapy, physical challenges, and emotional hurdles. Yet she remains determined to turn her experience into purpose. Learning that pediatric brain tumors are among the least-funded areas of cancer research, she founded The Natalie Gray Foundation to help change that and has since raised nearly $400,000 for pediatric brain cancer research. Her dream is to one day become a pediatric nurse and work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the very place where her journey began.
“Natalie’s courage and determination are what bring the charitable mission of this tournament to life,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide and president of Champions of the Community. “By awarding this scholarship, Nationwide is honored to recognize what Natalie has overcome and support her future aspiration to become a nurse, a path inspired by the incredible care she received at Nationwide Children’s.”
“Nationwide’s continued generosity makes a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their families,” said Steve Testa, president, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Natalie’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience we see every day, and it’s great to know this gift will help her achieve her dream to give others the same compassionate care she received as a patient.”
Tournament proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since the event’s inception in 2007, nearly $30 million has been raised for the hospital.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital remains the cornerstone beneficiary of Nationwide. Through Nationwide’s sponsorships of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday and the tournament’s Legends Luncheon, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Columbus Crew, and a partnership with The Dale Jr. Foundation, Nationwide sports marketing platforms have helped raise nearly $70 million for the hospital since 2011.
For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.