Every single person goes through different experiences from trauma, milestones, and the good and the bad, and what most can often forget is that these experiences are what mold us into who we are and what we often want to do in the future. The first main experience that has impacted my whole life is cancer. At the age of one, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Within the first few hours of being diagnosed, I immediately began a very intense treatment. Chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, ct scans, port installations, and more became my new “normal” and the hospital became my new home. I continued with treatment for three years and was finally labeled as “in remission” at the age of 4. I spent birthdays, milestones, holidays, and most of all of my childhood surrounded by nurses, doctors, and hospital walls which my family did not realize would impact me so much in the future. The cancer had taken away my childhood and learning years, which did not hit me until I was about six years old. I started realizing that I could not relate to the other children who were talking about trick or treating, Easter egg hunts, big family thanksgiving, and much more because up to this point I thought all of these holidays took place within the hospital. Knowing that I did not have the same experiences as my friends created a loss of normalcy within myself. Growing up I always felt like an outsider. I was the only child in school who had very visible scars and other kids did not understand why I had them and at that point in my life, I did not understand why I had them either. Growing up feeling like an outsider because of cancer molded me into who I am now. I realized at a young age that everyone has a different story for a reason, even if we do not know that reason. Cancer created a pact within me to embrace my scars and an understanding that everyone experiences their own type of “cancer.” My journey with cancer has impacted my belief that everyone is always going through something and what is important is that they have a community behind them to be there for them. Growing up in the cancer community allowed me to realize I was not the only person with scars or a bald head, and it gave me a sense of normalcy back. This inspired my aspiration of working with children who are affected by cancer because I know the exact position they are in and allowing them to know that I have also been through it and grew through it is so important. Showing them how to love their scars and embrace their story is my purpose on this Earth.