The 4 Nonno campaign by Strides 4 Gianluca is dedicated to Gianluca’s Nonno (grandfather), Nicola Aconi. Everyone who knew Nicola spoke of his kindness and how he was always a positive light.
The 4 Nonno logo combines the 4 from the Strides 4 Gianluca with the letter N in Nonno to represent their special connection. Gianluca has cerebral palsy, which has no cure but is managed with medical treatments and physical therapy throughout his life. Unlike other forms of cancer, mesothelioma does not go into remission and is managed through medical treatments as well. So Gianluca & Nonno’s connection is made even stronger with that common bond. This scholarship is not just for those who suffer from mesothelioma but any type of cancer.
It takes extraordinary resilience, determination, and perseverance to pursue higher education while facing the physical, emotional, and financial challenges associated with cancer. This scholarship seeks to ease the financial burden of higher education, empowering recipients to focus on achieving their academic and career aspirations while celebrating the courage they have shown throughout their cancer journey.
Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who has been diagnosed with cancer, is currently going through treatment, or who has beaten cancer may apply for this scholarship opportunity. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to their educational goals despite the obstacles they have encountered. Whether balancing treatment with coursework, returning to school after recovery, or beginning a new academic journey, this scholarship honors individuals who have shown strength, hope, and a dedication to building their future.
To apply, tell us how cancer has impacted your life, what challenges you have faced, how you have overcome these challenges, what lessons you have learned through your experience, and how this has shaped your goals for the future. Additionally, upload a photo of yourself.
How it works

Step 01
Bold.org helps students show donors who they are beyond a transcript.

Step 02
Every scholarship is funded by donors and managed directly on Bold.org.
Step 03
Scholarship dollars are disbursed through Bold.org to help students pay for school.
The application deadline is Apr 19, 2027. Winners will be announced on May 20, 2027.
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on May 20, 2027. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.