Ten years ago, Kinley Strohl was a six-year-old facing cancer. On what should have been her third day of first grade, Kinley was diagnosed with hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital the next day. An unsuccessful first phase of chemotherapy was followed by a three-month hospital stay that included more aggressive chemotherapy, radiation, a bone marrow transplant that led to life-threatening complications and weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Today, Kinley is a 16-year-old junior at Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware, Ohio where she is a varsity cheerleader and participates in competitive cheerleading outside of school. Kinley also attends Delaware Area Career Center where she is studying health technology and nursing. She also founded Kinley’s Krafts in 2013, which gives back to the hospital by hosting craft sales, car washes and lemonade stands. Nationwide learned about Kinley’s story and wanted to honor her past journey with a gift for her future.

Nationwide, the founding partner of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship (NCHC) golf tournament, surprised Kinley and her family with a $10,000 college scholarship after she took the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to kick off the first round of play at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals event at The Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio. Tournament proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, more than $16.2 million has been raised for the hospital.

“Nationwide has a 60-plus year relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and stories like Kinley’s are why we are passionate about supporting one of America’s largest children’s hospitals and pediatric research centers,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of sports marketing at Nationwide. “It’s wonderful to see Kinley thriving and we’re thrilled to be able to present this scholarship as our way of paying tribute to every patient and family that has benefited by the life-changing work being done by the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital.”

“I know how tough it is to be a kid fighting cancer, but I hope my experience shows that good outcomes are possible thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses at Nationwide Children’s,” said Kinley. “Taking the First Shot to Fight Cancer was a cool way to share my story. And I’m so grateful to Nationwide for the $10,000 scholarship.”

Nationwide Children’s remains the cornerstone beneficiary of Nationwide. Through Nationwide’s sponsorships of the Memorial Tournament, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship golf tournament, and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, and partnerships with Hendrick Motorsports and The Dale Jr. Foundation, Nationwide sports marketing platforms have helped raise more than $44 million for the hospital since 2011.

“We’re very thankful to Nationwide for their ongoing generosity to our patients and families,” said Niki Shafer, senior vice president of outreach, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It’s wonderful to see Kinley receive this gift that will help her reach her goal of becoming a nurse where she can continue to help others.”

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.