How many five year old’s have seen their dad ravaged by stomach cancer? I was one of those unfortunate ones that remember my dad at a healthy 190 pounds go down to 110 in a matter of 13 months. I was too young to comprehend what was happening, but what I felt was that my life changed in the blink of an eye. I remember seeing my dad lay in the coffin, alleviated of the pain that overtook his every day. These imagines are the driving force for me to become a cancer researcher. I knew that it would take a lot of hard work, but I was determined to help find a cure for this disease. I maintained a high GPA, earning the Principal’s Honor Roll for all but one year in elementary school and now Valedictorian as a Senior in high school. This road has not been easy. My mom, as a single parent, had strict deadlines and long work hours. I remember often being the last child to be picked up from daycare. The staff would be kind enough to give me assignments to help pass the time. When I was in junior high school, she would pick me up and take me back to her office. I would start my homework in a little closet room outside of the woman’s bathroom. It was not uncommon for us to leave her office at 9 p.m., followed with a drive-thru dinner, more homework, shower, sleep, school and repeat. At the office, my mom’s co-workers would allow me to use their desk to do my homework if they left before my mom and on several occasions, I was so exhausted that I would curl up underneath a desk to catch up on my sleep. They made for very long days, but opportunity to spend time with the one parent I was fortunate to have. I do not take much for granted. I work hard for what I have and count my blessing every day. Obtaining my degree in biological science to become a cancer researcher is a passion of mine. I don't want other children to feel the loss I had because of a rare disease.

How many five year old’s have seen their dad ravaged by stomach cancer? I was one of those unfortunate ones that remember my dad at a healthy 190 pounds go down to 110 in a matter of 13 months. I was too young to comprehend what was happening, but what I felt was that my life changed in the blink of an eye. I remember seeing my dad lay in the coffin, alleviated of the pain that overtook his every day. These imagines are the driving force for me to become a cancer researcher. I knew that it would take a lot of hard work, but I was determined to help find a cure for this disease. I maintained a high GPA, earning the Principal’s Honor Roll for all but one year in elementary school and now Valedictorian as a Senior in high school. This road has not been easy. My mom, as a single parent, had strict deadlines and long work hours. I remember often being the last child to be picked up from daycare. The staff would be kind enough to give me assignments to help pass the time. When I was in junior high school, she would pick me up and take me back to her office. I would start my homework in a little closet room outside of the woman’s bathroom. It was not uncommon for us to leave her office at 9 p.m., followed with a drive-thru dinner, more homework, shower, sleep, school and repeat. At the office, my mom’s co-workers would allow me to use their desk to do my homework if they left before my mom and on several occasions, I was so exhausted that I would curl up underneath a desk to catch up on my sleep. They made for very long days, but opportunity to spend time with the one parent I was fortunate to have. I do not take much for granted. I work hard for what I have and count my blessing every day. I later learned the underlying genetic factors in stomach cancer and that H-Pylori if detected early can be treated with antibiotics. Knowing that a simple and routine blood test can detect this has caused me to realize the importance of healthy eating and regular doctor visits. I want to live a long and healthy life and not be taken away at a young age like my dad did.

How many five year old’s have seen their dad ravaged by cancer? I was one of those unfortunate ones that remember my dad at a healthy 190 pounds go down to 110 in a matter of 13 months. I was too young to comprehend what was happening, but what I felt was that my life changed in the blink of an eye. I remember seeing my dad lay in the coffin, alleviated of the pain that overtook his every day. These imagines are the driving force for me to become a cancer researcher. I knew that it would take a lot of hard work, but I was determined to help find a cure for this disease. I maintained a high GPA, earning the Principal’s Honor Roll for all but one year in elementary school and now Valedictorian as a Senior in high school. This road has not been easy. My mom, as a single parent, had strict deadlines and long work hours. I remember often being the last child to be picked up from daycare. The staff would be kind enough to give me assignments to help pass the time. When I was in junior high school, she would pick me up and take me back to her office. I would start my homework in a little closet room outside of the woman’s bathroom. It was not uncommon for us to leave her office at 9 p.m., followed with a drive-thru dinner, more homework, shower, sleep, school and repeat. At the office, my mom’s co-workers would allow me to use their desk to do my homework if they left before my mom and on several occasions, I was so exhausted that I would curl up underneath a desk to catch up on my sleep. They made for very long days, but opportunity to spend time with the one parent I was fortunate to have. I do not take much for granted. I work hard for what I have and count my blessing every day. Life has been hard and lonely. I hope that the financial pressures do not steer me in the direction of obtaining a full-time job rather than being a full-time student.

Though my plans center around cancer research, developing a broader understanding of science will help establish a foundation for my future endeavors. The significance of research became clear to me when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer. I was five when I lost him. The pain of that experience anchored my desire to learn about this disease and to find ways to prevent it or alleviate the pain it causes to those diagnosed with it and those who suffer alongside them. While not directly an academic pursuit, a program that is near and dear to my heart is Camp Kesem, an annual camp for kids with parents who have fought cancer. I have been a camper at Kesem since I was five, and I look forward to giving back by volunteering each summer. Camp Kesem is a nationwide organization of passionate college students that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. Kesem has helped me come to terms with my father’s passing. For me, being educated is learning how to be resourceful for the benefit of society, the environment, and in one’s own life. A college education offers the best opportunities to pursue my passions through direct engagement with its diverse communities, among students and professors with perspectives drawn from all around the globe and at a college that shares my values and passion.

How many five year old’s have seen their dad ravaged by cancer? I was one of those unfortunate ones that remember my dad at a healthy 190 pounds go down to 110 in a matter of 13 months. I was too young to comprehend what was happening, but what I felt was that my life changed in the blink of an eye. I remember seeing my dad lay in the coffin, alleviated of the pain that overtook his every day. These imagines are the driving force for me to become a cancer researcher. I knew that it would take a lot of hard work, but I was determined to help find a cure for this disease. I maintained a high GPA, earning the Principal’s Honor Roll for all but one year in elementary school and now Valedictorian as a Senior in high school. This road has not been easy. My mom, as a single parent, had strict deadlines and long work hours. I remember often being the last child to be picked up from daycare. The staff would be kind enough to give me assignments to help pass the time. When I was in junior high school, she would pick me up and take me back to her office. I would start my homework in a little closet room outside of the woman’s bathroom. It was not uncommon for us to leave her office at 9 p.m., followed with a drive-thru dinner, more homework, shower, sleep, school and repeat. At the office, my mom’s co-workers would allow me to use their desk to do my homework if they left before my mom and on several occasions, I was so exhausted that I would curl up underneath a desk to catch up on my sleep. They made for very long days, but opportunity to spend time with the one parent I was fortunate to have. I do not take much for granted. I work hard for what I have and count my blessing every day. One day I will be a cancer researcher. One day young boys and girls will not lose their parent to cancer. That is my dream.

My Dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was four. At that age, all one is left with is slivers of memories. For instance, I remember my dad really liking food. That’s why when he started to get skinny, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. That and the fact that he and my Mom went to the doctor’s office all the time. I recall thinking that the walls of the doctor’s office were supposed to be a safe harbor because a doctor’s job is to save lives, but I was also aware that his health was declining. A year later, half of my world was stolen from me. I didn’t find comfort in those walls anymore; they had let me down. Out of that pain, though, came the most meaningful discovery of my life so far: I found Camp Kesem. Finding the community of kids and counselors who have lost parents to cancer changed my life. Delving into the pain with others who were there for the same reasons strengthened all of us. I’ve “aged out” as a kid camper now, but I’ll be returning to Camp Kesem as a counselor. Although it was the hardest experience of my life, I want to tap that pain to help others in that position. And the strength and healing we brought to one another at camp were enough to reveal my calling: to use my love of science to be of service to cancer patients and their families.

Pictures are worth a thousands words! Visualizing where you are and where you see yourself in 10 years is a powerful tool. It has been helpful for me in my own pursuits and have used it to help others with theirs. I feel fortunate that I've had strong mentors in my life, but not all students are as lucky. I like to pay it forward and help others see their future and be reminded that their hard work will one day pay off. Forming a group of likeminded individuals is very important and putting together a vision board is just one of the tools I would use to help others. There is no need to have a long and drawn out process when something short and sweet works.