“You’ll never dance again.” The doctors said this as if it wouldn’t change my life. I was frequently told, “Leukemia is the easy cancer.” When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I fought this cancer for five years, and wondered how anyone could call what I was going through “easy”. Between medicines, surgeries, a relapse, and being told, “You may not make it,” nothing about my life was easy. It also wasn’t comforting seeing my group of friends in the hospital vary in members because, as my parents told me, “They have gone to a better place.” I heard this phrase more times than any child should, and I learned exactly what it meant. While other kids were going to school and playing, I was receiving chemotherapy, making friends with nurses, and trying to understand medical terminology. I realized that while I was piecing together parts of my new normal, my childhood was racing by without me. I learned that I was going to get weaker as the treatment continued. Eventually, my friends were not allowed to visit me because I was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, which meant complete isolation. My room was a fishbowl, but only doctors were allowed to look in. I faced almost every side effect possible, including those considered life-threatening. My doctors listed many activities that I may have difficulties with for the rest of my life. To end the list, one doctor announced, “Going to dance class is too much of a risk.” The doctors explained this to my parents while I was in physical pain comprehending the information. My heart was sinking and tears were flooding my eyes. The best parts of the last five years of my life were spent performing dances on stage. I imagined those years without my dance memories, and I saw myself living a life without hope. My parents were nodding their heads as if they were willing to let this part of my life go. Their faces showed that they were understanding the doctors while I thought the people in the white coats were just speaking an absurd language. Dance was the one activity that actually allowed me to feel normal and free. Suddenly that freedom seemed to be slipping away. For the next few years, I stood on the very edge of the stage in every dance, so as not to affect everyone else if I happened to be forced to quit. I missed classes and struggled to keep up at times. I even suffered a rare relapse and fought through radiation, surgeries, and more chemotherapy to get to the place I am now. All I wanted was to be a normal kid and I constantly fought to reach that goal. I had to work twice as hard as everyone else, but I did it. I did what everyone told me I couldn’t, and I achieved the impossible. Throughout the final stages of my treatment and to this day, all of my accomplishments from school to dance to medical status have been celebrated as if even the smallest accomplishments were major milestones. My entire five-year battle with cancer was full of uncertainties and the effects will be everlasting. It has given me so many extraordinary experiences and an abundance of strength that I plan to carry with me through my future. I will forever take my medical experiences with me and never forget what I have been through. My childhood was filled with people supporting me, now it's my time to give back.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time becoming friends with nurses rather than kids my age. After three years had passed, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis and experienced radiation, surgeries, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” The hopes were not always good that I would make it to the point in my life where I would be applying for college scholarships. Throughout my journey I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots every night and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the ins and outs of the hospital and I realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up a significant amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and they were invested in their well-being. We made a connection with each other and got to know one another on a personal level. My very first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. It's because of nurses like her that I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives other parents clarity in a time of distress. I want to be the one to make connections with my patients and relate to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to be a nurse that inspires someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. My vision for myself upon college graduation is to be a pediatric nurse. I would like to be in a hospital setting as a pediatric oncology nurse or a NICU nurse. The opportunities ahead of me are endless.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time becoming friends with nurses rather than kids my age. After three years had passed, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis and experienced radiation, surgeries, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” The hopes were not always good that I would make it to the point in my life where I would be applying for college scholarships. Throughout my journey I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots every night and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the ins and outs of the hospital and I realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up a significant amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and they were invested in their well-being. We made a connection with each other and got to know one another on a personal level. My very first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. It's because of nurses like her that I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives other parents clarity in a time of distress. I want to be the one to make connections with my patients and relate to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to be a nurse that inspires someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. My vision for myself upon college graduation is to be a pediatric nurse. I would like to be in a hospital setting as a pediatric oncology nurse or a NICU nurse. The opportunities ahead of me are endless.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time becoming friends with nurses rather than kids my age. After three years had passed, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis and experienced radiation, surgeries, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” The hopes were not always good that I would make it to the point in my life where I would be applying for college scholarships such as the Sara Jane Memorial Scholarship. Throughout my journey I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots every night and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the ins and outs of the hospital and I realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up a significant amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and they were invested in their well-being. We made a connection with each other and got to know one another on a personal level. My very first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. It's because of nurses like her that I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives other parents clarity in a time of distress. I want to be the one to make connections with my patients and relate to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to be a nurse that inspires someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. My vision for myself upon college graduation is to be a pediatric nurse. I would like to be in a hospital setting as a pediatric oncology nurse or a NICU nurse. The opportunities ahead of me are endless.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After three years of chemotherapy and life-altering side effects, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am enjoying college and learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was going through treatment. Some day, in my more distant future, I may consider going back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Anesthetist. In these roles, I would still get to interact with patients regularly, but I’d have different levels of responsibilities that I would acquire from additional schooling. Being awarded scholarships will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my immediate goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. College is expensive and pursuing a nursing degree is potentially even more expensive. I worked very diligently in high school and continue to do so in college to get involved and keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible. Receiving scholarships will allow me to achieve the necessary degrees so I can become a better nurse and make a difference in the lives of more individuals.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time becoming friends with nurses rather than kids my age. After three years had passed, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis and experienced radiation, surgeries, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” The hopes were not always good that I would make it to the point in my life where I would be applying for college scholarships such as the Kelly O. Memorial Nursing Scholarship. Throughout my journey I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots every night and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the ins and outs of the hospital and I realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up a significant amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and they were invested in their well-being. We made a connection with each other and got to know one another on a personal level. My very first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. It's because of nurses like her that I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives other parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one to make connections with my patients and relate to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to be a nurse that inspires someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. My vision for myself upon college graduation is to be a pediatric nurse. I would like to be in a hospital setting as a pediatric oncology nurse or a NICU nurse. The opportunities ahead of me are endless.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I worked very diligently in high school, and continue to do so in college, to keep my grades up and get involved in clubs in order to be a well-rounded person and a good candidate for college scholarships. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and nursing skills to make a difference. I found out about this scholarship by searching on the Bold scholarship website.

Side effects… If the Leukemia didn’t kill me, it was possible that the rare side effects would. This all started seventeen years ago when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated with chemotherapy at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I relapsed two and half years later, and endured two more years of chemotherapy with the addition of radiation to my eyes, and cranial radiation. Of course I experienced all of the expected side effects related to chemotherapy treatment such as hair loss, weight fluctuation, extreme exhaustion, changes in my taste buds, nausea, weakened immune system, etc. It was the rare side effects that came unexpectedly throughout my five years of treatment that were difficult to manage. Most people have never heard of Aphasia, Typhlitis, or Portal Vein Clots, let alone a Leukemia relapse in the iris of my right eye just a couple weeks after my chemotherapy was completed. Did you know that there’s a special type of eye drop called Cocaine Eye Drops? My parents didn’t know this unusual fact until they met a neuro-ophthalmologist at CHOP who diagnosed my relapse. Did you know that radiation to your eyes breaks up the Leukemia cells hiding in your eyes, and the broken cells can float around your eyes when you’re playing with your dad and your head turns slightly upside down causing temporary blindness? Needless to say, my family and I learned a lot during my five years of treatment. We learned so many new medical words, many of which were associated with the rare side effects I unfortunately experienced. The first rare side effect I experienced was early on in my treatment. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects your ability to communicate. This was caused by Methotrexate Toxicity. When my little body had enough Methotrexate, an intrathecal chemotherapy, injected into my spine, my communication skills shut down. Experiences like this get you transported to CHOP on a helicopter. Luckily my mom and my favorite stuffed bunny were able to accompany me on the eleven minute helicopter ride to the hospital. My next rare side effect was Typhlitis, which is a serious inflammation of the large intestine. It’s a serious condition that results from a bacterial or fungal invasion. Typhlitis is what got me admitted to the PICU. My PICU hospital room was like a fish bowl, but only doctors and nurses were allowed to look in. My Portal Vein Clot was by far my most scary side effect. Portal vein thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in the portal vein, which carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. One of my chemotherapy drugs, Peg Asparaginase, caused this side effect. Nothing short of blood thinners and a miracle saved me from being admitted to the PICU again. My entire five-year battle with cancer was full of uncertainties and the effects will be everlasting. I will forever take my medical experiences with me and never forget what I have been through. My childhood was filled with people supporting me, so now it's my time to give back. Fast forward seventeen years from when all of this began, I am getting ready to begin my junior year of nursing school interested in becoming a pediatric nurse. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and my nursing skills to make a difference.

As a compassionate and driven 20-year-old leukemia survivor who desires to become a pediatric nurse, has a vested interest in helping others, and has a special place in my heart for horses, I am lucky enough to be experiencing a full-circle moment. I have always loved and admired horses ever since I was a young girl. As a pediatric cancer patient from age 3-8, I participated in a program called "Horse Power for Life." This is an amazing program that allows sick children to learn how to groom and ride horses as a way to get away from their hospitals, doctors, medications, needles, fear, and pain. Mental health is important, even at such a young age. It is because of this program that my love for horses was born. Once I was considered cured, and I was finished with the program, I always hoped that I could get back to caring for horses and horseback riding again. I never anticipated that I would miss it so much. I went almost twelve years with only rare and brief equine interactions. I went horseback riding a few times as I got older but I always desired to do more. I searched for a way to get involved with horses again and I decided to start volunteering at “Furvivors Wonderland Horse Rescue and Animal Sanctuary.” I am able to work with so many horses and other animals that have been rescued from dangerous situations and need my help. I am responsible for grooming and feeding the horses, cleaning barn stalls, and attending fundraisers. The most rewarding part of the job is spending time just petting the horses and showing them that they are loved. I learned about this organization when I saw their truck in our community Christmas parade. I noted the phone number on the side of the truck and contacted them when I got home to inquire about volunteering. I spent time on the website reading about the rescue and looking at pictures of the horses. I enjoy my time volunteering and look forward to making an even bigger impact on the lives of these rescued horses. At this point in my life, I feel as though I am experiencing a full-circle moment. As a young child battling leukemia and participating in the “Horse Power for Life” program, the horses were helping me stay positive, keeping my mind off my treatments, and taking care of me. Now, at “Furvivors Wonderland Horse Rescue and Animal Sanctuary”, I am giving back and helping horses that need love and support, just like I did. I know that my younger self would be in disbelief, but yet admire my reclaimed love for these animals. Spending time with horses was therapeutic for me, and still is. I admire the mother-daughter team who founded this rescue and wish to help this part of my community in any way I can. I am driven to give back to others, so I am willing to try new things and give 100% in everything that I am asked to do.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I worked very diligently in high school, and continue to do so in college, to keep my grades up and get involved in clubs in order to be a well-rounded person and a good candidate for college scholarships. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and nursing skills to make a difference.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I worked very diligently in high school, and continue to do so in college, to keep my grades up and get involved in clubs in order to be a well-rounded person and a good candidate for college scholarships. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and nursing skills to make a difference.

Side effects… If the Leukemia didn’t kill me, it was possible that the rare side effects would. This all started seventeen years ago when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated with chemotherapy at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I relapsed two and half years later, and endured two more years of chemotherapy with the addition of radiation to my eyes, and cranial radiation. Of course I experienced all of the expected side effects related to chemotherapy treatment such as hair loss, weight fluctuation, extreme exhaustion, changes in my taste buds, nausea, weakened immune system, etc. It was the rare side effects that came unexpectedly throughout my five years of treatment that were difficult to manage. Most people have never heard of Aphasia, Typhlitis, or Portal Vein Clots, let alone a Leukemia relapse in the iris of my right eye just a couple weeks after my chemotherapy was completed. Did you know that there’s a special type of eye drop called Cocaine Eye Drops? My parents didn’t know this unusual fact until they met a neuro-ophthalmologist at CHOP who diagnosed my relapse. Did you know that radiation to your eyes breaks up the Leukemia cells hiding in your eyes, and the broken cells can float around your eyes when you’re playing with your dad and your head turns slightly upside down causing temporary blindness? Needless to say, my family and I learned a lot during my five years of treatment. We learned so many new medical words, many of which were associated with the rare side effects I unfortunately experienced. The first rare side effect I experienced was early on in my treatment. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects your ability to communicate. This was caused by Methotrexate Toxicity. When my little body had enough Methotrexate, an intrathecal chemotherapy, injected into my spine, my communication skills shut down. Experiences like this get you transported to CHOP on a helicopter. Luckily my mom and my favorite stuffed bunny were able to accompany me on the eleven minute helicopter ride to the hospital. My next rare side effect was Typhlitis, which is a serious inflammation of the large intestine. It’s a serious condition that results from a bacterial or fungal invasion. Typhlitis is what got me admitted to the PICU. My PICU hospital room was like a fish bowl, but only doctors and nurses were allowed to look in. My Portal Vein Clot was by far my most scary side effect. Portal vein thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in the portal vein, which carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. One of my chemotherapy drugs, Peg Asparaginase, caused this side effect. Nothing short of blood thinners and a miracle saved me from being admitted to the PICU again. My entire five-year battle with cancer was full of uncertainties and the effects will be everlasting. I will forever take my medical experiences with me and never forget what I have been through. My childhood was filled with people supporting me, so now it's my time to give back. Fast forward seventeen years from when all of this began, I am a sophomore nursing student interested in becoming a pediatric nurse. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and my nursing skills to make a difference.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I am enjoying going to college to learn all the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses while I was in treatment. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I will forever take my medical experiences with me, and I look forward to using my skills and experiences to make an impact on the lives of others.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I have worked very hard in school and will continue to do so to reach my goals. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and my future nursing skills to make a difference.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I have worked very hard in school and will continue to do so to reach my goals. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and my future nursing skills to make a difference.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I have worked very hard in school and will continue to do so to reach my goals. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and my future nursing skills to make a difference.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I am enjoying going to college to learn all the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses while I was in treatment. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I will forever take my medical experiences with me, and I look forward to using my skills and experiences to make an impact on the lives of others.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I am enjoying going to school to learn all the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses while I was in treatment. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I will forever take my medical experiences with me, and I look forward to using my skills and experiences to make an impact on the lives of others.

“This is the easy cancer.” These are the words told to my parents when I was three years old. I was diagnosed with Leukemia and treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time becoming friends with nurses rather than kids my age. After three years had passed, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis and experienced radiation, surgeries, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” The hopes were not always good that I would make it to the point in my life where I would be applying for college scholarships such as the Women in Healthcare Scholarship. Throughout my journey I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots every night and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the ins and outs of the hospital and I realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up a significant amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and they were invested in their well-being. We made a connection with each other and got to know one another on a personal level. My very first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. It's because of nurses like her that I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives other parents clarity in a time of distress. I want to be the one to make connections with my patients and relate to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to be a nurse that inspires someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am enjoying learning all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was in treatment. My vision for myself upon college graduation is to be a pediatric nurse. I would like to be in a hospital setting as a pediatric oncology nurse or a NICU nurse. The opportunities ahead of me are endless.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I want to go to school to learn all the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses while I was in treatment. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I will forever take my medical experiences with me, and I look forward to using my skills and experiences to make an impact on the lives of others.

My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse where I can make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. As a young child, I fought Leukemia for 5 years and grew to love my nurses. It was because of nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of nurses that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots every night and my sisters were sung to when I had to go to the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the ins and outs of the hospital and realized that everyone played their part. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. Nurses made up a significant amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made a connection with each other and got to know one another on a personal level. My very first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. It's because of nurses like her that I decided that I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. To say that most of my nurses empowered me as a young child is an understatement. My first nurse continues to empower me. I have been lucky enough to keep in touch with her after all of these years. In fact, when I was considering going to college for Nursing, she was the person I called to have all of my questions answered. She was the one I was excited to share the good news with when I got accepted to Nursing school. When my parents asked me how I wanted to celebrate my high school graduation, I chose for my family to take a trip to visit this particular nurse and her family. The conversations we had when we were together over the summer were so meaningful and talking with her made me even more excited about attending college to become a nurse. She continues to empower me as I see her not only as a nurse, but also as a mentor who will be by my side over the next four years of college and beyond. My hope is that I can be just like her as a nurse and that I can possess the skills and qualities that seemed to have come so naturally to her. My life has been the furthest thing from normal, and while not every aspect was positive, my experiences have shaped me into the person I am. I have set many goals for myself that I am constantly striving to accomplish. I hope to use the compassion derived from my personal experiences to improve others’ experiences.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I want to go to school to learn all the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses while I was in treatment. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I will forever take my medical experiences with me, and I look forward to using my skills and experiences to make an impact on the lives of others.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than my friends. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I experienced more chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I saw the workings of the hospital and realized that everyone had their part in making the process work. It was a puzzle and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses made up an enormous amount of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after my diagnosis, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse. My heart tells me that I would make a really good pediatric oncology nurse. I am also considering becoming a NICU or a PICU nurse. I am looking forward to attending college to learn all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was going through treatment. I have seen nurses support my parents, and I could be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. I have worked very hard in school and will continue to do so to reach my goals. I am confident that I can make a hospital room feel less intimidating for patients by using my own personal medical journey and my future nursing skills to make a difference.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After three years of chemotherapy and life-altering side effects, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am looking forward to attending college to learn all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was going through treatment. Some day, in my more distant future, I may consider going back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Anesthetist. In these roles, I would still get to interact with patients regularly, but I’d have different levels of responsibilities that I would acquire from additional schooling. Being awarded scholarships will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my immediate goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. College is expensive and pursuing a nursing degree is potentially even more expensive. I have been working very diligently in high school to get involved and keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible. Receiving scholarships and financial incentives will allow me to achieve the necessary degrees so I can become a better nurse and make a difference in the lives of more individuals.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After three years of chemotherapy and life-altering side effects, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. My goal in life and my passion is to help other people. By pursuing a career in nursing, I will be able to accomplish this goal and use the skills I develop to improve my patients’ experiences. I am looking forward to attending college to learn all of the skills that seemed to have come so naturally to my nurses when I was going through treatment. Some day, in my more distant future, I may consider going back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Anesthetist. In these roles, I would still get to interact with patients regularly, but I’d have different levels of responsibilities that I would acquire from additional schooling. Being awarded scholarships will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my immediate goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. College is expensive and pursuing a nursing degree is potentially even more expensive. I have been working very diligently in high school to get involved and keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible. Receiving scholarships and financial incentives will allow me to achieve the necessary degrees so I can become a better nurse and make a difference in the lives of more individuals.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me, but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. Being awarded this scholarship will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. I have been working hard in high school to keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me, but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. Being awarded this scholarship will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my goal of becoming a nurse. I have been working hard in high school to keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible. I proudly have multiple connections to the military. I come from a family of strong men who have served our country. My great-grandfather served in the Army and received a Purple Heart in World War II. My grandfather was drafted into the Army to serve in the Vietnam War. My other grandfather served in the Army National Guard. My uncle served in the Army. The connection I am most proud of is that my dad served in the Marine Corps. I wasn't born when he was in the Marines, but now that I am older, I enjoy hearing all of his stories.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me, but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. Being awarded this scholarship will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my goal of becoming a nurse. I have been working hard in high school to keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible.

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia and referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My parents were told that this was the “easy cancer” as if I was in control of what type of cancer I developed. I had no idea what was happening. The only thing on my mind was playing with my friends at home. However, that quickly changed when I started spending my time with nurses rather than kids. After three years, I was considered “cured” and I resumed my life as a typical six-year-old. Unfortunately, that only lasted a week. I relapsed with an incredibly rare diagnosis. I endured surgeries, radiation, and more chemotherapy for the next two years. I faced almost every side effect possible including those labeled “life-threatening.” Nothing about my Leukemia was “easy.” I witnessed my mom completely falling apart and being put back together by the nurses who were not only checking on me, but also on my devastated family. It was because of the dedicated nurses that my mom was able to get through my first night in the hospital and I was able to get through my first procedure. It was because of them that my dad learned how to give me blood-thinning shots and my sisters were sung to when I was in the hospital on their birthdays. I learned early on that the hospital was like a puzzle, and every person had their piece to contribute. The nurses were the biggest part of that puzzle. They did more than just take care of their patients. They genuinely cared about their kids and were invested in their well-being. We made connections and got to know one another on a personal level. My first nurse in the hospital left the biggest impact on my family. A few years after I was diagnosed, she even asked me to be the flower girl at her wedding. Because of nurses like her, I decided I want to be a piece of the puzzle. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be just like my nurses, and now I have reached the point in my life where I can make it happen. I have seen nurses support my parents, and now I want to be the person who gives parents clarity in times of distress. I want to be the one who connects with my patients and relates to them because I truly understand what they are going through. I want to have the opportunity to ask one of my patients to be the flower girl at my wedding one day. I want to inspire someone else to help others. Being awarded this scholarship will help me pay for the education required to help me achieve my goal of becoming a nurse. I have been working hard in high school to keep my grades up in order to be a good candidate for scholarships to help minimize the cost of my education as much as possible.