My Hometown Heroes, Inc.

My Hometown Heroes, Inc. Bridging the gap between cancer and college, one scholarship at a time.

My Hometown Heroes is a 501(c)3 organization designed to provide scholarships for young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 17 and 39. Our mission is to financially assist and recognize these amazing individuals who are pursuing a college education. Through community outreach, collaboration, and creativity we inspire with stories of hope and progress.

✨ Meet this week’s Hero, Jos Coffman! ✨Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November 2001, Jos’s journey has b...
06/18/2026

✨ Meet this week’s Hero, Jos Coffman! ✨

Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November 2001, Jos’s journey has been one of resilience, growth, and a lifelong commitment to making a difference. Today, he carries forward the lessons he learned through his experience by leading with empathy, kindness, and compassion — reminding us that we never truly know what someone else may be facing and that everyone deserves grace, support, and understanding.

Jos is a true example of a survivor who continues to turn challenges into opportunities. With strengths rooted in leadership, communication, problem-solving, and a passion for learning, he is dedicated to using his experiences to help others. In the future, Jos hopes to serve underserved communities as a nurse or nurse practitioner, combining his compassion and commitment to care for those who need it most.

When he’s not pursuing his goals, you can find Jos exploring his passions for space, Star Trek, animals, hiking, and art (while enjoying a little pizza, memes, and the occasional lazy day along the way 😉).

His advice to fellow young adult cancer survivors is simple but powerful: find and cultivate your community. The people who surround us can be the foundation for happiness, success, and fulfillment throughout life.

Jos is most grateful for the people he loves, his family, friends, and community and his dreams include traveling the world, building a home filled with the people he cares about, and never stopping his pursuit of knowledge.

His words to live by come from a Star Trek-inspired Latin phrase:
✨ “Ad astra per aspera” — Through hardship, to the stars. ✨

Jos, your strength, kindness, and determination continue to inspire us. We are honored to celebrate you as this week’s Hero! 💙

06/10/2026

Meet Jacob Ittigson, a T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivor who was diagnosed on September 27, 2019.

Jacob describes himself as a leukemia survivor, creative, and compassionate—qualities that have helped him navigate life's challenges with strength and determination. While he admits his weaknesses include potato chips and collecting trinkets, his passions for music, tennis, and crafts keep him inspired and energized every day.

Looking ahead, Jacob hopes to become a pediatric speech therapist, combining his compassion and resilience to make a difference in the lives of children. His advice to others facing difficult circumstances is simple but powerful: "Don't let cancer define you and try new things. Put yourself out there."

One of the greatest lessons Jacob learned throughout his cancer journey is to take life one day at a time. Rather than focusing on the road ahead, he encourages others to focus on getting through today—because that is enough.

Jacob is most grateful for the incredible friends, family members, and healthcare providers who stood beside him throughout his journey. As he continues pursuing his dreams, his top three life goals are to graduate college, be in a cool band, and maintain positive relationships with his friends and family.

His words to live by are: "My existence is a momentary lapse of reason." — Stefan Burnett

We are honored to celebrate Jacob's resilience, optimism, and determination. His story is a reminder that while cancer may be part of someone's journey, it does not define who they are or what they can achieve.







A few weeks ago MHH founder dropped in to congratulate MHH scholarship recipient Brittany Greco on her recent commenc...
06/10/2026

A few weeks ago MHH founder dropped in to congratulate MHH scholarship recipient Brittany Greco on her recent commencement celebration held at Mama Celeste Pizzeria. We got to hang out with her amazing mom Gena too.

Brittany graduated with her Masters in Social Work in May!
So many great memorles with Brittany with MHH from being one of our honorary speakers for the inaugural Breakfast of Champions in 2024 to hanging out with us at our inaugural Networking Night at the Ballpark in 2022, and many other things in between.

We are so proud of you and look forward to more celebrations with you down the road!

Meet Hannah Dwyer, one of our 2025 College Scholarship Recipients. Her determination led her to earn a master's degree i...
06/03/2026

Meet Hannah Dwyer, one of our 2025 College Scholarship Recipients. Her determination led her to earn a master's degree in May 2026, and her courage earned a standing ovation at our 2026 Breakfast of Champions when she shared her inspiring story.

In 2017, Hannah was diagnosed with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. Through every challenge, she has remained exactly what she describes herself as: unbreakable, driven, and hopeful.

Today, Hannah is pursuing her passion for helping others, with a dream of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist in an elementary school right here in Reno. Her heart for service shines through her dedication to working with children with disabilities and helping them find their voice and connect with the world around them.

When she's not studying, you can find Hannah enjoying a good book, crocheting, watercolor painting, or indulging in a few of her favorite things—sugar, coffee, and Adele.

One of the most valuable lessons Hannah has learned through her cancer journey is the importance of community. She shares, "I've learned to lean on the people around me and help hold them up too. It feels impossible to put into words the importance of having a support community. My family, friends, teachers, and community members have been there to help in whatever way they can."

Hannah is deeply grateful for the opportunities and support she has received through My Hometown Heroes, and even more grateful for the simple gift of living. She treasures the endless laughter shared with her sisters, the opportunity to pursue her passion through education, and the ability to help others every day.

Looking ahead, Hannah has some incredible goals: skydiving, traveling to Italy, and helping as many children as possible learn to communicate and thrive.

Hannah's journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, hope, and community can transform even the most difficult challenges into opportunities to make a lasting impact. We are honored to support Hannah as she continues pursuing her dreams and changing lives along the way.











05/27/2026

This week, we would like to introduce you to Hannah Blume, an Osteosarcoma survivor who was diagnosed in 2014. Hannah majored in Business Management at the University of Hartford with a graduation date set for Spring 2026 🥳

Hannah’s journey is a powerful reminder that strength can grow from even the most difficult struggles.

When she’s not volunteering, cooking, baking, or spending time with her dogs, Hannah dreams of making a difference by working with a nonprofit that supports children fighting serious illnesses.

In five years, she hopes to be helping raise funds and creating innovative ways to support families in need.

Hannah’s advice for young cancer survivors:
“Build a strong support team, people around you that you trust to share how you are feeling. Having people to lean on when you are going through a difficult time is very helpful and truly makes a difference.”

She also wants to remind everyone:
“You are not defined by your diagnosis, you are more than just your illness.”

Hannah is most grateful for her family and friends who have stood by her throughout her journey.

Her life goals include traveling to Hawaii with her family, paying off her college debt, and being a voice for children fighting cancer, survivors, and those we have lost too soon.

Her words to live by:
“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” ✨

Thank you, Hannah, for sharing your story and inspiring others with your courage, compassion, and resilience. 💛






Meet Haley Baker, a two-time Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivor who faced cancer with incredible strength in both 201...
05/21/2026

Meet Haley Baker, a two-time Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivor who faced cancer with incredible strength in both 2012 and again in 2017. Today, she is pursuing her dreams in dental school and inspiring everyone around her with her resilience and positivity.

When Haley looks ahead five years, she sees herself beginning her career as a dentist while embracing new adventures with her husband wherever military life may take them. Her top goals include graduating dental school, growing her family, and seeing the world.

One of the biggest lessons cancer taught Haley is the importance of staying strong and positive, even during the hardest days of treatment. She believes optimism, working out, and taking care of your mental health can make all the difference during difficult times.

Haley is most grateful for her family, friends, and oncology care team who supported her every step of the way. Whether she’s enjoying sour candy, playing tennis, hiking, or Pilates, Haley continues to live by the words: “Stay strong.”

We are honored to support Haley on her journey and can’t wait to see the impact she makes in the world!









Since My Hometown Heroes, Inc. began in 2010, we have awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to college-bound cancer surv...
05/18/2026

Since My Hometown Heroes, Inc. began in 2010, we have awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to college-bound cancer survivors from across the country.

We are pleased to announce that on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 we will be hosting our 8th annual signature event, Heroes Night Out at the Wilbur D. May Center, once again, inside the beautiful Garden Atrium.

Mark your calendars as this is your night out to enjoy a passport adventure with delicious catering and beverages by returning partners plus more to come.

From 7:00pm to 7:30pm, you won't want to miss a very special presentation of our scholarship recipients, supporters, as well as a heartfelt speech from our soon to be announced honorary scholarship recipient as they share their journey from cancer to college.

Proceeds from the 8th annual Heroes Night Out event will fund scholarships for college bound cancer survivors for the Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 semesters.

Event Passports available now along with sponsorship opportunities, here or the link on our bio:
https://myhometownheroesinc-bloom.kindful.com/e/heroes-night-out-2026-1

At My Hometown Heroes, Inc. our mission is to help bridge the gap between cancer and college, one scholarship at a time.

05/15/2026

Meet Cole Martin — a Metastatic Osteosarcoma survivor, a My Hometown Heroes scholarship recipient, and a true example of resilience and determination. 💛

Cole is currently studying Radiology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and is focused on building a future filled with purpose, passion, and perseverance. Whether he’s in the gym strengthening his knee, spending time with friends, gaming on Xbox, or working toward his degree, Cole continues to push forward with gratitude and strength.

After everything he has overcome, Cole says he is most grateful for the opportunity to have a second chance at life and to continue checking things off his bucket list. In the future, he hopes to finish college, begin his career, travel to the beaches of Hawaii, and eventually work in Florida alongside his cousin in the sunshine and warm weather. ☀️🌴

Cole shared that being part of a community that understands and supports him “means everything” and makes the journey so much easier.

His message to others:
“Even when life throws a curveball at your face, you can always dodge it. Never let this thing stop you from doing what you loved before you were diagnosed.”

We are so proud to support students like Cole who continue to inspire others through courage, hope, and determination. 💙🎓

This week are proud to recognize one of our incredible scholarship recipients, Brandon Butzberger. A courageous Hepatobl...
05/12/2026

This week are proud to recognize one of our incredible scholarship recipients, Brandon Butzberger. A courageous Hepatoblastoma childhood liver cancer survivor who continues to inspire through resilience, compassion, and dedication to helping others.

Currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Brandon is passionate about the field of psychology and making a meaningful impact in people’s lives.

Alongside his studies, Brandon enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and serving others through his role as a Rehabilitation Counselor.

His vision for the future is equally inspiring: to work in a private practice setting, providing mental health counseling services while potentially pursuing a doctoral degree to further expand the support he can offer clients.

Stories like Brandon's remind us why scholarships matter — empowering survivors to turn their experiences into purpose, hope, and healing for others.

We at MHH are so proud of Brandon and cannot wait to watch him accomplish all of his goals!









Address

Reno, NV

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when My Hometown Heroes, Inc. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to My Hometown Heroes, Inc.:

Shortcuts

Share

Category