I am going to cure cancer. Before I was born, my mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The cancer had wrapped around her esophagus and partially constricted her windpipe. It took nine months of intensive treatment and more than $400,000 in medical costs before she went into remission. The only reason she survived was thanks to the experimental treatments she was administered. Last October, my father was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer—a terminal diagnosis. Unfortunately, there are no experimental treatments that will change his prognosis. His imminent death looms over our house, tainting everything in its sorrow. The only comfort in the chaos has come from the constant presence of familial support. Seeing the generosity my family so selflessly exhibited inspired me to reciprocate the support where I could. I turned my attention to my grandmother who had been forgoing her own needs in order to meet my father’s. This had led to her property being neglected, so I took it upon myself to restore it for her. I had prior experience working at my grandmother’s place; she had always needed a hand as she is a widowed 80 year old with severe arthritis. However, this was a bigger task than mowing the lawn. I went over every weekend and painted her shed, ran sprinkler lines, fixed the water damage on her ceiling, laid tile in her front entry way, removed trees, leveled her driveway, installed gutters, and redid her fence to name a few projects. Assisting my grandmother made me feel like I was pouring back into my support system - it filled me with purpose. Using my skills, knowledge, and dedication I was able to positively contribute to a wholly negative situation. Nothing about my father’s health is in my control, but this was. The harsh reality that fueled me to fix up my grandmother’s property is the same harsh reality that will now fuel my educational and professional journey. However, instead of impacting one life I will impact hundreds of thousands through the use of pioneer stem cell treatments for cancer patients. I am excited to be attending Northeastern University in the fall to study Molecular and Cell Biology. It is one of the most selective schools in the nation, nestled right in the heart of Boston. Boston is where my parents lived for 18 years before I was born, it is where my older sister was raised, and it is where my mother was treated for cancer. Boston is a huge epicenter for biomedical research and I will get the opportunity to do a co-op with a local company in my field. Starting my adult life in the same city my parents did is a beautiful homage to carrying their story with me as I pursue the knowledge to cure the disease that has harmed both of them. Undergrad is only the first step in my educational pathway. In order to conduct my own research, I will need to obtain my masters degree and PhD. My father will never see me graduate, but nonetheless, he will be with me each time I walk the stage. I have decided to dedicate my life to stem cell research because my story is only one of many. I owe my life and my family to the individuals who poured themselves into cancer research 20 years ago, I am forever indebted. They saved my mother, and although they aren’t able to save my father, I will use his death and the work of those who came before me to give other families the same opportunity we were granted.