A very personal connection to the field of pediatrics sparked my interest at a young age. Beginning at age 4, I befriended a girl of the same age who had Down Syndrome while at church summer camp. Our friendship quickly grew, and she became like a sister to me. I knew from a young age that I wanted to do everything I could to be there for her and protect her. I was by her side for all of her various doctor's appointments as we grew older. I saw all of her and her family's struggles during these unknowing, difficult times. In addition to this particular young lady, a childhood male friend of mine was diagnosed with pediatric bone cancer during our junior year of high school. His parents were my parents' close friends, so we went on most family vacations together and had weekly family cookouts. Once again, I was faced with witnessing a dear friend attend medical visit after medical visit. Unfortunately, this aggressive cancer took his life at the young age of 16 years old. Seeing the struggles of both families during this time made me realize the impact that the healthcare system and healthcare professionals have on their patients. Out of these two situations with people that I keep close to my heart, I was also diagnosed with cancer in 2020. I was 22 years old at the time, but I thought, "I'm young, I'm invincible." The fear that myself and my parent's faced when I heard the words, "You have cancer" is a moment I will never forget. I can empathize with Hope's mother when she was faced with the diagnosis of her child. I can empathize with Nick's parents when they were faced with the terrible diagnosis of cancer. I can empathize with others and their families when faced with difficult times because I, too, have been the patient on the other side of dishearting news. Because of Hope and Nick, I began volunteering at the Children's Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee on the Oncology floor. Once a week, I would read with, play games with, color with, or do any activity permitted while the child underwent chemotherapy treatment. This experience only further confirmed the deep compassion I have for the world's tiniest, most delicate humans. For the past six years, I have also had the pleasure of working in healthcare. All of the patients that have touched my life are special to me. However, the joy that pediatric patients bring lights up my world. Time after time throughout my life, I have been shown the path that has been paved for me, and I truly believe working in the field of pediatrics is my calling. I hope to be able to touch the lives of my patients and their families in the way pediatrics has touched my life since the age of four.