I was born with a rare blood disorder called beta thalassemia major. I am unable to make proper red blood cells on my own so I have to get blood transfusions every 21 days to stay alive. In addition, because of the chronic transfusions I receive I also have to take daily chelation therapy with side effects so I do not get iron overload from so many frequent blood transfusions. I have developed other complications from this disease also. Beta thalassemia major is the most severe form of Beta Thalassemia in which the complete lack of beta protein in the hemoglobin causes a life-threatening anemia that requires regular blood transfusions and many specialist because it effects all the organs in your body. The lifelong blood transfusions lead to iron-overload which must be treated with chelation therapy to prevent early death from organ failure. My mother and father are both carriers of the gene, which in turn gave me the major form. As much as this disease is a part of my normal life routine, it’s still a lot to manage. I miss important life events and more school than I would like because my transfusions take all day at the hospital. Also, because I am tired when my hemoglobin is low I must rest more. Navigating life with Thalassemia can bring unique challenges, but it also has fostered resilience and strength. My parents have helped me learn to advocate for myself in the medical setting and with teachers. I know life is hard, everyone has something hard, but we can do hard things! I have a desire to find a safe cure for this disease which is why my family and I have done a care walk every year to raise funds for the Cooleys Anemia Foundation (CAF). I share awareness about the disease at our walk and my sister has a lemonade stand to raise money as well. This organization helps patients like me afford high cost medical bills including frequent blood transfusions and labs, MRI’s, other scans, multiple doctors, surgeries, daily medicine, and travel to thalassemia specialists. It is my hope that we can raise funds to further research to help us move closer to a safe cure for this disease so that people living with thalassemia may live a long full life free of complications. I have lived 17 years with thalassemia and I am forever grateful to blood donors and all of the healthcare professionals that have helped me live the best life I can. It is my desire to go to college and be in the healthcare field so I can help others the way I have been cared for. Thank you for your consideration in helping me achieve this goal.

I believe I am a good candidate for this scholarship because I have qualities, like Jaimeson, which I hope are inspiring to my peers and those around me. I was born with a rare blood disorder at birth that requires me to get blood transfusions every 21 days to live. I have had many trials with my disease through the years and have been told that I inspire others with my attitude and perseverance. This year, I chose to get a bone marrow transplant to cure me of my disease and it has been nothing short of a fight for my life. I underwent chemo, missed half of my first high school year (finished online) and am now on my way to healing. My teachers and family have been very supportive and have told me I inspire them to live life to the fullest and take chances. It is my goal to go to college down a STEM path of Nursing to help and care for others the way I have been cared for my entire life. I have been in and out of the hospital over the years for different complications. I go to the hematology clinic frequently also. It has always been nurses who have cared for me during my most vulnerable moments. I also feel there are not enough male nurses. When I have had a male nurse it made me feel more comfortable being a boy and connecting with them. I hope to bring the compassion to others that I have been shown during my hardest days. I have recently been more brave to share my story and educate those around me about the need for blood donations and supporting your friends going through tough trials. I believe this is a strong characteristic that will help others understand that we can all be supportive in some way to one another. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela I honestly thought healing was when I was cured. Now, after not being cured (yet!) I realized healing is my choice. I can choose to live healed everyday. I will continue to conquer my fears and live a life that my parents will be proud of. I will not take my second chance for granted. I will live courageously to help others. Thank you for your consideration. Corbyn Cammilleri