My brother slipped quietly into the hospital bathroom. I knew he was crying, but I couldn't admit it to myself. Seeing my usually ‘macho’, nonchalant brother break down was the first real sign that something was terribly wrong. My dad had been living with renal cell carcinoma for years. He had been hospitalized plenty of times before, even surviving an 11-hour surgery in India, so I convinced myself this time would be no different. I chose to stay optimistic, even when he could barely open his eyes and was too weak to talk to me. I convinced myself he was fine. A week later, I lost my dad. I had to grow up very quickly, supporting my mum through funeral arrangements, holding it together for visitors, and trying to wrap my head around the fact that I had just lost a parent. It felt like I was in an alternate reality. Since then, life has been a series of ups and downs, but also a series of very important lessons. Journaling has become an integral part of my healing journey. I often write down the lessons I have learned and how they help me stay focused on my goal of becoming an oncologist. Three of these lessons are even plastered near my mirror to remind me every day: Heal: Allow yourself to grieve in whatever way feels right, as long as it doesn't hurt you or others. For me, that means using humor. Sometimes, inappropriate, but always helpful and necessary. Never let a good crisis go to waste: Let your pain be your push. While cancer claimed my father, I refuse to let it take anything more. This summer, I will be researching a cure for acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. I’ve spent time sitting with my grief, but now, I’m lacing up my boots and stepping into the lab as someone with something to fight for. Perspective: I’ve learned how fragile time is. I no longer sit on my dreams or delay hard conversations. I understand that tomorrow is not promised, so I strive to live every day to the fullest. My mindset has changed drastically since losing my dad, and for me, the most fulfilling thing has been showing up for others, even when I’m breaking inside. I find joy in spoiling my mum and brother, and in celebrating my friends. Losing my dad taught me that resilience is not about never losing control; it's about how you are able to regroup and rebuild.

I’ve always had a flair for healthcare; taking care of people and playing ‘doctor’s office’ came like second nature to me. Governed by this and an interest in the human body and mind, I scoured around in my home country, Nigeria to secure a shadowing placement with an Interventional Radiologist. I watched as he navigated his way through a complex pulmonary embolism and had to employ critical thinking skills as well as recall deep knowledge of the body's blood vessels. This confirmed to me that a career in medicine was well suited for my desires to be in a stimulating environment where I can be directly involved in improving patients' lives. My journey towards becoming a medical doctor has been uniquely challenging, primarily due to the fact that my dad is currently battling renal cell carcinoma. This has taken a massive financial and emotional toll on my family. His declining health meant he had to stop working, and half of my mum's earnings goes towards medical costs. Moreover, my mum earns in Nigerian Naira, a currency whose value is constantly depreciating and losing value to the American dollar every day. Rather than allowing these setbacks to deter me from pursuing medicine, I have been able to harness them as a source of inspiration. Witnessing my dads struggles and his unwavering support from his group of doctors constantly fuels my passion. When faced with the challenges of tough coursework, late nights in the research lab, and when the thought of switching career paths surfaces, I think of that one family I may care for in the future who would be grateful for my presence. My experiences have given me a realistic insight into a career in medicine and I understand the challenges facing doctors today. I am passionate about delivering quality patient care, whilst also exploring the fascinating workings of the human body. I possess the skills necessary to succeed as a doctor and I am committed to pursuing this career. The path towards becoming a medical doctor has been shaped by my unwavering passion, a transformative shadowing experience and the challenges my family and I have faced. I am determined and committed to provide quality healthcare to those in need of it. I look forward to the future where I get to don the white coat and contribute to improving the lives of patients and the world at large through medicine.

I’ve always had a flair for healthcare; taking care of people and playing ‘doctor’s office’ came like second nature to me. Governed by this and an interest in the human body and mind, I scoured around in my home country, Nigeria, to secure a shadowing placement with an Interventional Radiologist. I watched as he navigated his way through a complex pulmonary embolism and had to employ critical thinking skills as well as recall deep knowledge of the body's blood vessels. This confirmed to me that a career in medicine was well suited for my desire to be in a stimulating environment where I can be directly involved in improving patients' lives. My journey towards becoming a medical doctor has been uniquely challenging, primarily due to the fact that my dad is currently battling renal cell carcinoma. This has taken a massive financial and emotional toll on my family. His declining health meant he had to stop working, and half of my mum's earnings goes towards his medication. Moreover, my mum earns in Nigerian Naira, a currency whose value is constantly depreciating and losing value to the American dollar every day. As a result, it is becoming harder to secure the funds to pay my tuition at Howard University. Rather than allowing these setbacks to deter me from pursuing medicine, I have been able to harness them as a source of inspiration. Witnessing my dad's struggles and his unwavering support from his oncologist constantly fuels my passion. When faced with the challenges of tough coursework and late nights in the research lab, I think of all the people and families that I may care for in the future who would be grateful for my presence. My experiences have given me a realistic insight into a career in medicine and I understand the challenges facing doctors today. I am passionate about delivering quality patient care, whilst also exploring the fascinating workings of the human body. I possess the skills necessary to succeed as a doctor and I am committed to pursuing this career. The path towards becoming a medical doctor has been shaped by my unwavering passion, a transformative shadowing experience and the challenges my family and I have faced. I am determined and committed to providing quality healthcare to those in need of it. I look forward to the future where I get to don the white coat and contribute to improving the lives of patients and the world at large through medicine.