Growing up, my life has been shaped by a series of challenges that most people wouldn’t expect a child to face. Raised by an immigrant single mother, I learned early what resilience looked like not from stories or television, but from watching her work tirelessly to keep our small family afloat. After my father passed, we relied solely on the money he left us, which wasn’t enough. The fear of being homeless loomed over us, a constant weight that followed me through school days and sleepless nights. Just as we began to find our balance again, life threw another blow. At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with cancer. In that moment, life didn’t just shift, it stopped. The diagnosis didn’t just affect me; it sent shockwaves through my family, my friends, and the entire foundation we had rebuilt. Fighting cancer at a young age felt like carrying the world on my shoulders while already balancing so much. But even in the hardest moments like losing my hair, watching my mother cry in silence, or hearing doctors speak in hushed voices,I found purpose. That experience taught me more than any classroom ever could. It showed me the true meaning of strength, sacrifice, and survival. It also opened my eyes to how critical support systems are, and how rare they can be for families from low-income backgrounds. There were times when we had to search endlessly for resources just to feel seen, supported, or even simply informed. These struggles planted a seed in me, a deep desire to change things for others in similar situationsd because it isn’t easy to do it on their own. That’s why I’m driven to pursue a career in the business industry. My goal isn't just to be successful; I want to build something that creates real, lasting opportunities and support systems for people walking the path I once did. I want to use business as a tool for social change, to develop organizations or initiatives that directly serve underprivileged families, children with serious illnesses, and single-parent households. My lived experience gives me a perspective that no textbook can offer. I know what it feels like to be scared, uncertain, and overlooked. But I also know the power of hope, of determination, and of using your past as fuel for your future. I aspire to turn my story into a platform that helps others rise into something bigger because if I can, they can too.

The summer night of July 19th, my mom said these four words: You have blood cancer. No one had ever said life is easy but life for me became a challenge that not only tested my physical strength but also my mental wellness as well. As I battled nausea 24/7 and struggled with a lack of energy, attending traditional school became impossible. From being in and out of the hospital, having no face to face interactions, and trying to stabilize my mental health, I was completely overwhelemed. The hospital became a second home. I began treatment and everything was going to plan according to my doctors. But on a September morning, everything went downhill. I was sent to the ER because I was unable to stand, experienced bad cramps, and felt the feeling of passing out. I ended up in the ICU for 3 nights. Unconscious. Afterwards, I was told that I had to undergo a life or death sugery. I had to get colostmy bag because one of the medications had a really bad side effect on my organs. I had to stay in the hospital an addtional 3 months. My body was weak. I had to relearn how to walk. I had to learn how to support myself after feeling like a lifeless teddy bear. That surgery is what saved my life. After that difficult experience, I was able to finally go home during the week of Thanksgiving. Yet, my living nightmare placed me into a bad state of depression. From being in isloation and feeling as if I was stuck in between two walls, I had to admit to myself that I need to seek professional help and ask for a therapist. Therapy is not new to me. I had a therapist prior to my diagnosis and I had one after losing my father in 2020. It has helped me throughout a lot and I knew it would help me navigate this experience. Therapy taught me to be more comfortable with myself and be more resilient. I was able to apply this to my personal life and my academic life. Upon learning of my diagnosis, I had a very big fear that I wasn’t going to succeed. I thought it was the end of the world for me. I’ve been able to improve my grades and I can honestly say, I am proud of myself. I feel accomplished.