Cyndy Cervantes Scholarship for Oncology Social Work

I first became interested in oncology work when I read the memoir by Rachel Naomi Remen. In her accounts of working as a physician for patients in the oncology department, I was struck by the tenuous, emotional, and empathetic approach she took to understanding the support and healing necessary for this field of work. As a future social worker working towards my MSW, I also strive to bring compassion to my practice, and I deeply value centering the human experience first and foremost in any mental health career path. I didn't seriously consider working with cancer patients until a close family friend, a young woman named Grace, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. I watched her journey for the next several years as she navigated with her family numerous doctors appointments, drug trials, chemotherapy, radiation, and more. Her words of praise for the technicians, nurses, and social workers that she interacted with her incredibly high because of the empathetic approach they took when determining the right care for her. I was deeply inspired by her life, and will never forget playing in streams together when we were children or building fairy castles in tree hallows. After she passed, almost a year a half ago, I knew my calling within social work was providing care and assistance to patients and families within the oncology field. I want to help more people like Grace, and I want to ease some of the burden during the worst times of their lives. I will never forget her words of kindness for the staff that she worked with, and I strive to bring that same human centered compassion, passion, and dedication to the field.