Congratulations Olivia, Devan, and Jaiden on receiving the 2024 Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship. Best of luck with your studies!

“As a bioengineering student at MIT, the Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship will allow me to pursue my undergraduate studies without fear of financial insecurity. In the future, I hope to pursue an MD-PhD to conduct translational pediatric oncology research—this scholarship helps me get one step closer to reaching that dream. I am truly grateful for the support afforded by Silken Twine Charity!”

Olivia Bartrum

“Devan, a two-time survivor of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, believes kids everywhere deserve access to life-saving treatment. Devan lives in Washington, DC, where he helped set up the US chapter of Tabletochki, Ukraine’s largest children’s cancer charity. As US Outreach Director, he works with international organizations, nonprofits, and governmental agencies, including the WHO, USAID, and Congress, to help pediatric cancer patients in Ukraine’s warzones. Born in Bogota, Colombia, but treated in the US, he knows the stark disparities in health outcomes worldwide. Devan will study global health at Harvard University this fall with the support of the Silken Twine Charity and the Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship. He hopes to use his education to advance health equity and create a world where all kids can get high-quality care, regardless of where they live. “

Devan Tatlow

“Hi there! My name is Jaiden Mehta and I am the recipient of the Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship. Growing up, I wanted to be a doctor. My dad is a primary care physician, and I wanted to heal people just like him. After being diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in 2017, I underwent several surgeries and many months of harsh treatment, during which I watched how my nurses and oncologists helped make my fight easier. That’s when I thought I wanted to become a pediatric oncologist and pay it forward to future cancer patients.

I was admitted into my school’s medical academy where I was given the opportunity to shadow several physicians. But after observing their work, their workloads, and the continued pressures my dad faces as a physician, I realized that medicine wasn’t for me.

Throughout high school, however, I have been fortunate enough to be involved with several decision-making processes for my parents’ medical practice, meet many medical sales representatives, and do several internships with small businesses. I’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for combining medicine with business.

My passion for helping cancer patients is still very much alive. I now realize that I can help the global cancer-fighting population by working with a biotech company that researches new cures and produces more affordable and effective medications. With this scholarship, an education in business administration, supply chain management, kinesiology, and nutrition at Texas A&M University, is much more attainable, and I am so grateful for this award. I want to be a part of a team that fosters creativity and “outside the box” thinking to fight cancer—from a different perspective this time. Only 4% of cancer research funds go to childhood cancer, and I want to give these kids the attention they deserve.”

Jaiden Mehta