Baron & Budd Announces Spring 2025 Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship Winners

Scholarship winners Cristian “Brady” Martins and Jennie Betances share their personal experiences with cancer and the impact it had on their lives.

DALLAS – The nationally recognized law firm Baron & Budd has selected Cristian “Brady” Martins and Jennie Betances as the winners of the Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship. Each winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship paid directly to the financial aid accounts at their universities.

Applicants were asked to submit a written or video essay about how cancer has impacted their lives. Cristian “Brady” Martins was selected as the winner of the written essay contest after a competitive review by the Baron & Budd Scholarship committee. His essay detailed his life-long love for cars and his journey to make it to college to study automotive restoration. However, Martins explained how his plans to start college were put on hold when his mother was diagnosed with cancer for a second time along with multiple sclerosis. Martins said he immediately knew that he needed to step up and help his mother as she not only fought cancer but battled a degenerative disease that often left her physically struggling to move.   

In his essay Martins wrote, “The experience matured me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. I gained perspective. I gained grit. And I gained clarity on the type of man I want to be. Through my mom’s cancer journey, I have learned that fear is fine. Embracing that fear is how you find the courage to move forward. Sadness is fine. Embracing that sadness is how you can find happiness again. And having a good long cry does not make you weak, it makes you human. Most importantly, my mom has taught me to be a fighter.” Martins is currently attending McPherson College in Kansas where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Restoration.  

Additionally, Jennie Betances was selected as the video essay winner. In her video, she tells the story of how she and her family came to Florida from the Dominican Republic after her mother was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Betances, who was a medical professional in the Dominican Republic, said that before her mom passed away, she made one final request, that Betances would promise to become a nurse in the United States. She said, “Losing her was painful, but it gave me purpose. I understand what it feels like to be the family member sitting by the hospital bed and feeling scared and helpless. I want to be the kind of nurse who brings peace, not just care.” Betances emphasized that she is keeping that promise and keeping her mother’s legacy alive through nursing. She is currently attending Southern Adventist University and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.   

“Brady and Jennie exemplify perseverance, compassion, and commitment. Their experiences reflect the spirit of our program – to provide meaningful support to individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer, enabling them to pursue their educational and professional goals. We are proud to invest in their futures,” said President and Managing Shareholder Russell Budd.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of the thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer every year. For more information about the Baron & Budd Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship, please visit baronandbudd.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/scholarships/.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

With more than 40 years of experience, Baron & Budd has the expertise and resources to handle complex litigation throughout the United States. As a law firm that takes pride in remaining at the forefront of litigation, Baron & Budd has spearheaded many significant cases for hundreds of public entities and tens of thousands of individuals. Since the firm was founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has achieved substantial national acclaim for its work on cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and settling tens of thousands of cases in areas of litigation as diverse and significant as dangerous and highly addictive pharmaceuticals, defective medical devices, asbestos and mesothelioma, wildfires, environmental contamination, fraudulent banking practices, e-cigarettes, motor vehicles, federal whistleblower cases, and other consumer fraud issues.