The Leadership Center for Excellence has named Bite Me Cancer founder Nikki Ferraro as one of its honorees for the center’s 2017 “40 Under 40” event.
Leadership Center recognizes young leaders each year for the positive impact they make personally and/or professionally. Ferraro, a Chantilly High School and James Madison University graduate, founded Bite Me Cancer in 2010, only months after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 17.
Thyroid cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer among children between the ages of 15-19 in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. It has been one of the fastest increasing cancers overall in the U.S.
Bite Me Cancer is a national nonprofit based in Fairfax that raises funds for thyroid cancer research and provides support for teenagers who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Ferraro’s foundation has funded several cancer research studies around the country and has sent more than 3,500 Teen Support Bags to teen cancers patients at more than 80 hospitals.
Ferraro, who works for HITT Contracting, will be among 40 local leaders honored at a special luncheon Nov. 30, in Arlington.
The Leadership Center for Excellence presents “40 Under 40” in collaboration with its supporting partners which include the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Arlington Community Foundation, Arlington Economic Development and the Sun Gazette.
The mission of Leadership Center for Excellence is to enlighten, inspire and connect leaders through community building and leadership development. For more information, see www.leadershipcenter.org.
To learn more about Bite Me Cancer and its support programs for teens with cancer or to find out how to contribute time or money to support the foundation, visit www.bitemecancer.org or contact customerservice@bitemecancer.org.