Amanda Mangano

Dear Begin Again Foundation, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of the Begin Again Foundation Scholarship. Your support truly touches me, and I feel privileged to be recognized by an organization dedicated to uplifting sepsis survivors and their families. Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful, especially during a year when unexpected budget cuts eliminated financial aid for all incoming students at UMass Chan. Thanks to your generosity, I can focus more on my studies and worry less about managing the financial challenges of medical school. This makes a real difference, as I navigate working extra jobs alongside the rigors of my first year. Growing up in Massachusetts as a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I've seen how vital accessible, compassionate healthcare is in our communities. My experiences have shaped my goal to become a physician who truly understands and advocates for her patients. I chose to stay in Massachusetts for medical school so I can give back to the neighborhoods that raised me and be there for families like mine. Your commitment to supporting those affected by sepsis inspires me deeply. It motivates me not only to persevere in my own journey but also to ensure that I extend the same compassion and advocacy to my future patients. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in students like me. Your kindness gives me hope and strengthens my resolve to make a positive impact in medicine. Thank you, Amanda Mangano

Summerly Lear

Dear Begin Again Foundation and Aubrey Leishman, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of the TSS Scholarship. As someone who also survived menstrual toxic shock syndrome at 15, this recognition means more than I can put into words. Your story and the mission behind the Begin Again Foundation truly resonate with me, and I am so inspired by the strength it took to turn such a life-altering experience into advocacy and support for others. The $1,000 scholarship will make a significant difference as I begin my journey at the University of North Florida, where I’m studying nursing. I’m passionate about turning my own experience into purpose, and this support brings me one step closer to doing that. I want you to know how much it means to be seen, supported, and believed in. Thank you for honoring the stories of those affected by TSS and for turning hardship into hope for others. I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of the Begin Again Foundation’s mission. With love and gratitude, Summerly Lear

Sanoah LaRocque

Dear Begin Again Foundation, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of the Begin Again Foundation Scholarship. Receiving this support means more than I can say, especially as someone whose life has been touched by sepsis. Your generosity lifts a significant weight from my shoulders and allows me to focus more intently on my legal studies and my responsibilities as a mother. As a proud citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and a lifelong advocate for Tribal Nations, my path has always been driven by the desire to uplift Indigenous voices and protect Tribal sovereignty. This scholarship helps pave the way for me to attend law school, where I’ll gain essential tools to further serve Native communities and champion meaningful change through law and public policy. Your decision to support sepsis survivors and their families is inspiring, and I feel honored to be connected to a mission so close to my own heart. I hope to use the strength and opportunities you’ve given me to pay forward this kindness by making impactful contributions in Indian Country and beyond. Thank you for believing in me and investing in my future. Your kindness has made a real difference in my life, and I carry your trust with deep appreciation. Thank you, Sanoah LaRocque