When I was in the fifth grade, I lost my mother to an extremely rare type of cancer. This was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through and living without her here still pains me to this day. Over the past eight years, I have grown to understand that life is filled with obstacles, but the ability to overcome these struggles is what builds strength and character. I have also become a very big supporter of the idea that every person experiences misfortune, loss, and/or struggle at some point or another, yet using our struggles as lessons and as a way to help others is one of the main reasons we exist.

Several years ago, I was sitting in school thinking about my future and all of the sudden it dawned on me that I wanted to be an oncologist. I wanted to do something that would impact the disease that has taken so much from me. Fast-forward several years and I am now a freshman in college on a pre-med track, studying to make this goal a reality. I know this job will not be easy and it will require a lot of work, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

Throughout the past few years, people have asked me how I could work in such an emotionally-tolling profession. A profession where I will meet many patients, some of which will not make it. A profession in which I will build relationships with families, only to watch this dreaded disease take their loved ones from them. A profession that is so rewarding when you succeed, yet so painful when the cancer does. After a long time of receiving these questions and a lot of thought, I have finally come up with my response.

I want to work in the source of my pain. I want to make a direct impact on the disease that has taken everything from me. I want to be a part of the fight. I want to fight alongside those that are battling this debilitating disease and I want to bring light to the darkness. I want my patients to know that I will do anything I possibly can to stop the cancer from winning. I want to provide safety and hope for those struggling and for their families and friends. I want to make curing cancer a number one priority of the rising generation. I want to do everything I can to make sure than no child, parent, spouse, family, or friend ever has to go through what I did. But most importantly, I want to be a part of the cure and eradication this disease, so that no one ever has to experience the pain that I have.