Cancer is a word that changes everything the very moment it enters your life. When ovarian cancer became part of my story, it didn’t just affect me; it affected my entire family. The thought of cancer was terrifying, and I was very uncertain about what the future would hold. Yet through that difficult journey, we discovered strength we didn’t know we had, and I learned lessons that continue to shape who I am today. My family felt the weight of my diagnosis from the very beginning. My four boys, who were used to seeing me full of energy, suddenly had to see their mother struggle through treatments that left me weak and exhausted. There were days when I was so nauseous after chemotherapy that I couldn’t eat, and days when dizziness made it hard to stand. I tried to shield them from seeing my struggles, but they could still see it. I could also see the weight that my husband carried. He stayed by my side during every appointment, staying up on nights when I was in extreme pain. Cancer wasn’t just my problem; it was my entire family's. There were also moments of deep loneliness—times when no one truly understood what I was feeling physically or emotionally. Even surrounded by love, I often had to lean on my faith and talk to God because He was the only one who knew the full depth of my fear and pain. Prayer became my refuge, especially on the days when my body felt too weak to keep going. My faith reminded me that I was not alone, even in the darkest moments. My experience with cancer also changed the way I approach my work. As a referral coordinator for new GI and colorectal cancer patients, I understand their anxiety on a deeply personal level. I help advocate for patients every day, and advocacy goes beyond scheduling appointments or coordinating care. Sometimes it means letting them talk through their fears, or simply sitting on the phone with them while they cry. Those small moments of listening, comforting them, I know, mean the most. I have gone through the uncertainty myself, and I can meet them with empathy, patience, and compassion that comes from experience, not just training. I learned the true meaning of strength and that it is not about never falling—it’s about getting back up, even when it hurts. I learned that vulnerability is not weakness, and that accepting help from others is sometimes the bravest thing you can do. Most importantly, I learned that love and faith can carry you through challenges you never imagined facing. Cancer changed my family; it taught them compassion and empathy. It showed my husband and me the depth of our partnership. Surviving ovarian cancer inspired me to return to school, to grow in my career, and to use my experiences to support others who are facing their own battles.

Faith has always been a guiding force in my life. I never understood how deep my faith was until I was faced with one of the most terrifying situations I ever had to deal with: ovarian cancer. I remember the day the doctor told me that diagnosis; I felt like the world had stopped instantly. I was a mother of four boys, a wife, and a woman with goals that have yet to be achieved. Faith and the love of my family were the foundation that kept me going. The journey through treatment was physically and emotionally exhausting. There were times when I had to lean on my faith and talk to God because no one truly knew what I was going through. There were many times I felt completely alone, even though I was surrounded by those who love me. Those were the times when I just prayed because I knew that I couldn’t let those thoughts of doubt in. After treatments, I was often so nauseous I couldn’t eat or so dizzy I could barely stand. My body felt extremely weak, and my spirit felt tested and, at times, defeated. But every time I reached that breaking point, I just wanted to give up, tired, hurting, and exhausted. I had to remind myself that God was walking with me. My prayers became my strength when my body had none left to give. My children and my husband also gave me strength throughout my battle. Their love was a driving force to keep pushing forward. I wanted my boys to see strength, not defeat. My husband stood by me; he was there nearly for every appointment and during moments when the pain felt unbearable. Their continued support reminded me that I was not fighting alone. One day in treatment, my viewpoint changed. Instead of asking, “Why me?” I started asking, “What is the lesson that God is trying to show me?” I knew that the test I was going through was about to be my biggest testimony. All the pain and struggle had a purpose, and that was a part of my story. Surviving ovarian cancer has deepened my compassion, given me strength, and revived my commitment to helping others. Surviving this gave me the courage to return to school. After facing something as life-changing as cancer, I knew I could not let fear hold me back. If I could survive one of the biggest battles of my life, I could go back to school. My faith taught me that every test can become a testimony that can lead to other opportunities.

The idea of going back to college felt very overwhelming. I am a working mother of four boys, balancing long days, busy evenings, and the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. I always tell my kids it is never too late to pursue their goals, and so I decided to put what I was saying into action. If you are willing to talk the talk, you must also be willing to walk the walk. Much of my courage comes from my role as a mother. My boys look to me for guidance, and I believe I have shown them a strong example of perseverance. I want them to understand that dreams do not have an expiration date and that there are always opportunities to grow. Every time I urged them to push through challenges on the basketball court or in school, I felt a deep tug to follow the same message. I realized that returning to school was not only about advancing my career, but also about backing up what I have been talking about. My work as a referral coordinator at a cancer center also played a major role in giving me the courage to continue my education. Every day, I meet patients who are facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many of them have no one else to advocate for them, and supporting them has shown me the power of compassion. This job has inspired me to grow professionally so I can better serve patients and families on a much deeper level. I want to be someone who not only guides them through the healthcare system but also helps improve that system to be more supportive, accessible, and patient‑centered. To do this, I knew I needed to further my education. Community has also been a source of courage for me. Supporting my children in AAU basketball and mentoring young athletes has taught me the importance of showing up. Coaching reminded me that leadership is about consistency and believing in everyone's potential. Those same lessons that I was giving to others helped me believe in my own. Ultimately, the courage to return to school came from recognizing that my goals matter. My desire to grow in my career, expand my ability to help others, and create a stronger future for my family helped me push past my fears. Going back to school is a commitment to myself and to the people I serve. It is proof that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to move forward anyway, even if you are unsure what the future may hold.

Returning to college after years away has weighed on my mind for a long time, but the decision to pursue higher education now comes from a place of purpose. My life experiences have shaped me into someone who is resilient, compassionate, and dedicated to serving others. As a mother of four boys, I have spent years balancing work, parenting, mentoring, and community involvement. Although with every challenge and responsibility, I have tried to show my children what determination and drive can achieve. These experiences have shaped who I am and defined the impact I want to make in my career and within my community. Working as a referral coordinator at a cancer center has been one of the most important chapters of my life. Each day, I advocate for patients who are facing some of the most uncertain and terrifying moments of their lives. Many of them have no one else to support them, and being able to step into that gap by coordinating their care, answering questions, or simply just listening to them talk or cry. This role has shown me how important it is to help others feel supported. This has inspired me to grow in the healthcare field so I can expand the ways I can serve patients and families. Outside of work, my life centers around my children and our community. My boys are heavily involved in AAU basketball, and supporting them has become a major part of my daily routine. I truly cherish the opportunity to mentor young athletes. I enjoy helping them build confidence, work ethic, and teamwork, which has reinforced my belief that leadership is not about the title. Leadership is about showing up and giving back. Pursuing my degree at this stage in my life is a step toward expanding my career opportunities and increasing my ability to make a meaningful difference. I aim to grow within my field, take on more responsibility in patient advocacy and healthcare administration, and eventually lead initiatives that improve patient care and family support. My long‑term goal is to become a leader who influences both the quality and compassion of healthcare. I want to help create programs that make care more accessible, more patient‑focused, and more supportive for families who are navigating difficult diagnoses. My path has not been traditional, but every challenge and every moment of service have shaped me into the person I am today. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of returning to school as a working mother of four. It would allow me to focus on my studies. I will continue my collegiate career and reinforce my ability to serve my community and the patients who depend on compassionate care.