Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment less than a month ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But, despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes such as sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day. It deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams is different than my peers. I choose to focus on what matters the most to me. I am currently a freshman, studying nursing, at Shenandoah University. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment four months ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But, despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes such as sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day. It deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams is different than my peers. I choose to focus on what matters the most to me. I am currently a freshman, studying nursing, at Shenandoah University. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. I remained cancer-free for five years. Unfortunately, shortly after celebrating this anniversary, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment four months ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But, despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes such as sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for almost a year. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day. It deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams is different than my peers. I choose to focus on what matters the most to me. I am currently a freshman at Shenandoah University, studying nursing. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. Winning this scholarship would mean a lot to me. Going into the medical field requires more than the standard four years. I have to balance tuition costs, living expenses, and my own personal savings while continuing to excel in my studies. My parents started a college fund for me, but this will only cover less than two years of college, meaning I will have to take out personal loans in order to pay for the remaining years of the program. Receiving this scholarship would ease that financial pressure and allow me to focus on academics without the burden of significant loan debt after graduation.

Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment less than a month ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But it also opened a world of curiosity and purpose. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened. I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes: someone who takes an extra moment to explain what is happening or a provider who acknowledges your fears. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

Some hear my story and feel inspired; I see it as my calling. I am a two-time survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Diagnosed at age 11, I spent nearly a year undergoing chemotherapy and surgeries. After reaching five years cancer-free, I relapsed just one month later. I am grateful to say I recently completed my second round of treatment and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in unexpected ways. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear and uncertainty—but they also generated curiosity and purpose. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened. I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes: someone who takes an extra moment to explain what is happening or a provider who acknowledges your fear. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment less than a month ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But it also opened a world of curiosity and purpose. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened. I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment less than a month ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But it also opened a world of curiosity and purpose. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened. I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment less than a month ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But it also opened a world of curiosity and purpose. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened. I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to be cared for by someone who truly empathizes: someone who takes an extra moment to explain what was happening or a provider who acknowledges your fears. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of compassion, understanding, and comfort to my future patients. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

Some hear my story and feel inspired. I see it differently-I see it as my calling. I am a two-time cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. I was first diagnosed when I was just 11 years old. For almost a year, I received numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. I spent more time in the hospital than outside of it. A little more than a year ago, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Unfortunately, just one month later, I relapsed. Today, I am happy to say that I finished my second round of treatment less than a month ago and am once again cancer-free. Being a two-time cancer survivor changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Hospital rooms became my world, filled with fear, pain, and uncertainty. But it also opened a world of curiosity and purpose. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine and my passion for a future in medicine. Spending time with doctors and nurses, I realized: this is what I want to do. In an unexpected way, cancer gave me my career path. Throughout high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and by completing a medical assistant certification program. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I was able to apply this to my own journey. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my summer learning more about emergency medicine and became nationally registered as an EMT. I have now been working as an EMT for the last seven months. During my senior year of high school, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I stepped in, clearing desks, directing someone to call 911, and checking for breathing and a pulse. I began CPR and was later assisted by a staff member from the health office. Together, we applied an AED, administered a shock, and continued CPR until we regained a heartbeat and the rescue squad arrived. I am grateful that I was in the right place at the right time and had the training to bring her back. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened my passion for medicine and showed me the responsibility I am capable of carrying. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and my dreams for the future are heightened. I choose to focus on what matters most: human connection. To me, “human touch” means far more than physical contact—it is the presence of someone who truly sees you, listens without rushing, and offers comfort when words fall short. During my treatments, it was often a reassuring hand on my shoulder, a nurse who took an extra moment to explain what was happening, or a provider who acknowledged my fear that made the hardest days bearable. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric or emergency medicine, and my journey with cancer has shaped the kind of provider I hope to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment firsthand, I understand how powerful empathy and compassion can be in healing. I want to be the provider who not only delivers excellent medical care, but also offers reassurance, understanding, and hope—the kind of human touch that reminds patients they are not alone. While cancer will always be a part of my journey, I refuse to let it define what I am capable of. I will not let it limit my dreams. Instead, I will let it drive me forward, toward a future where I can give hope to others, just as it was given to me.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. For the next year, I received numerous chemotherapies as well as surgeries. After treatment, transitioning from the hospital to school life was far more difficult than I imagined. My worries were different from those of my peers. While they talked about grades, friends, and their team sport, I found myself consumed by what the future held for me. I reflected a lot on the people who were in treatment with me. Many of them were still being treated. While I was given the gift of stepping back into the “normal”, they stayed behind, facing battles they could never win. The weight of being one of the lucky ones would often feel very heavy. Four months ago, just when I thought I was in the clear and celebrating five years cancer-free, I relapsed. The cancer had spread to my lung. The familiar routine of surgeries and treatments resumed. Currently, I am participating in a clinical trial that targets any remaining microscopic cancer cells. Every day feels like a balance between hope and fear, but it also serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This summer, I got my EMT certification and am now exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. Recently, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action. Clearing desks around my classmate, calling out for someone to notify 911, and beginning a breathing and pulse check. I began CPR and was soon assisted by a staff member from the health office. We connected the AED pads, administered a shock, and continued CPR. At one point, I was completing both compressions and breaths. We eventually got a heart rhythm back, and the rescue squad arrived. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened the passion for medicine that has been a part of me for so long. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened, and I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that there is always hope for a brighter future.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. For the next year, I received numerous chemotherapies as well as surgeries. After treatment, transitioning from the hospital to school life was far more difficult than I imagined. My worries were different from those of my peers. While they talked about grades, friends, and their team sport, I found myself consumed by what the future held for me. I reflected a lot on the people who were in treatment with me. Many of them were still being treated. While I was given the gift of stepping back into the “normal”, they stayed behind, facing battles they could never win. The weight of being one of the lucky ones would often feel very heavy. Four months ago, just when I thought I was in the clear and celebrating five years cancer-free, I relapsed. The cancer had spread to my lung. The familiar routine of surgeries and treatments resumed. Currently, I am participating in a clinical trial that targets any remaining microscopic cancer cells. Every day feels like a balance between hope and fear, but it also serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This summer, I got my EMT certification and am now exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. Recently, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action. Clearing desks around my classmate, calling out for someone to notify 911, and beginning a breathing and pulse check. I began CPR and was soon assisted by a staff member from the health office. We connected the AED pads, administered a shock, and continued CPR. At one point, I was completing both compressions and breaths. We eventually got a heart rhythm back, and the rescue squad arrived. I will never forget this day. It not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced, but also deepened the passion for medicine that has been a part of me for so long. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened, and I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that there is always hope for a brighter future.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. For the next year, I received numerous chemotherapies as well as surgeries. After treatment, transitioning from the hospital to school life was far more difficult than I imagined. My worries were different from those of my peers. While they talked about grades, friends, and their team sport, I found myself consumed by what the future held for me. I reflected a lot on the people who were in treatment with me. Many of them were still being treated. While I was given the gift of stepping back into the “normal”, they stayed behind, facing battles they could never win. The weight of being one of the lucky ones would often feel very heavy. Four months ago, just when I thought I was in the clear and celebrating five years cancer-free, I relapsed. The cancer had spread to my lung. The familiar routine of surgeries and treatments resumed. Currently, I am participating in a clinical trial that targets any remaining microscopic cancer cells. Every day feels like a balance between hope and fear, but it also serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This summer, I got my EMT certification and am now exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. Recently, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action. Clearing desks around my classmate, calling out for someone to notify 911, and beginning a breathing and pulse check. I began CPR and was soon assisted by a staff member from the health office. We connected the AED pads, administered a shock, and continued CPR. At one point, I was completing both compressions and breaths. We eventually got a heart rhythm back, and the rescue squad arrived. I will never forget this day. It not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced, but also deepened the passion for medicine that has been a part of me for so long. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened, and I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that there is always hope for a brighter future. I learned of this scholarship through Bold.org.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in my femur. Being a cancer survivor has changed my world. For the last six years, I have endured harsh drugs, numerous surgeries to my leg, hours and hours of physical therapy, and recently a relapse in my cancer. My life worries are far different than my peers. But instead of focusing on what obstacles cancer has dealt me, I try to focus on the doors that it has opened for me. Being the youngest of three brothers and facing cancer changed not just my life, but my entire family's. My brothers watched me go through moments of weakness and fear. They saw me fragile, when even the simplest tasks became difficult, and my spirit was tested. Yet, through it all, the hardship brought us closer together. The experience of fighting cancer as a family strengthened our bond in a way that might not have happened otherwise. My brothers became my protectors, encouragers, and teammates. And to this day, we love spending time together, whether it's on a family hike or just sitting down to eat dinner together. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This past summer, I got my EMT certification and am exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. Last week, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action. Clearing desks around my classmate, calling out for someone to notify 911, and beginning a breathing and pulse check. I began CPR and was soon assisted by a staff member from the health office. We connected the AED pads, administered a shock, and continued CPR. At one point, I was completing both compressions and breaths. We eventually got a heart rhythm back, and the rescue squad arrived. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened the passion for medicine that has been a part of me for so long. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened, and I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that there is always hope for a brighter future.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. For the next year, I received numerous chemotherapies as well as surgeries. After treatment, transitioning from the hospital to school life was far more difficult than I imagined. My worries were different from those of my peers. While they talked about grades, friends, and their team sport, I found myself consumed by what the future held for me. I reflected a lot on the people who were in treatment with me. Many of them were still being treated. While I was given the gift of stepping back into the “normal”, they stayed behind, facing battles they could never win. The weight of being one of the lucky ones would often feel very heavy. Four months ago, just when I thought I was in the clear and celebrating five years cancer-free, I relapsed. The cancer had spread to my lung. The familiar routine of surgeries and treatments resumed. Currently, I am participating in a clinical trial that targets any remaining microscopic cancer cells. Every day feels like a balance between hope and fear, but it also serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This summer, I got my EMT certification and am now exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. Last week, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action. Clearing desks around my classmate, calling out for someone to notify 911, and beginning a breathing and pulse check. I began CPR and was soon assisted by a staff member from the health office. We connected the AED pads, administered a shock, and continued CPR. At one point, I was completing both compressions and breaths. We eventually got a heart rhythm back, and the rescue squad arrived. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened the passion for medicine that has been a part of me for so long. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened, and I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that there is always hope for a brighter future.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. For the next year, I received numerous chemotherapies as well as surgeries. After treatment, transitioning from the hospital to school life was far more difficult than I imagined. My worries were different from those of my peers. While they talked about grades, friends, and their team sport, I found myself consumed by what the future held for me. I reflected a lot on the people who were in treatment with me. Many of them were still being treated. While I was given the gift of stepping back into the “normal”, they stayed behind, facing battles they could never win. The weight of being one of the lucky ones would often feel very heavy. Four months ago, just when I thought I was in the clear and celebrating five years cancer-free, I relapsed. The cancer had spread to my lung. The familiar routine of surgeries and treatments resumed. Currently, I am participating in a clinical trial that targets any remaining microscopic cancer cells. Every day feels like a balance between hope and fear, but it also serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This summer, I got my EMT certification and am now exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. Last week, I was able to use my EMT skills during a classroom emergency. My classmate had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. Without really thinking about it, I jumped into action. Clearing desks around my classmate, calling out for someone to notify 911, and beginning a breathing and pulse check. I began CPR and was soon assisted by a staff member from the health office. We connected the AED pads, administered a shock, and continued CPR. At one point, I was completing both compressions and breaths. We eventually got a heart rhythm back, and the rescue squad arrived. I will never forget this day, as it not only challenged me in ways I had never experienced but also deepened the passion for medicine that has been a part of me for so long. As a teen cancer survivor, my appreciation for life and dreams for my future are heightened, and I choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world.I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that there is always hope for a brighter future.

My name is Reed Morgan. I am the youngest of three boys. I love military history, space history, old music, and baseball. But the thing that has changed my life the most is cancer. I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. The years that followed included many reconstructive surgeries. Throughout these years, I tried to always stay positive and use humor as a way to cope. However, less than six months ago, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target any remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

My name is Reed Morgan. I am the youngest of three boys. I love military history, space history, old music, and baseball. But the thing that has changed my life the most is cancer. I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. The years that followed included many reconstructive surgeries. Throughout these years, I tried to always stay positive and use humor as a way to cope. However, less than six months ago, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target any remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

My name is Reed Morgan. I am the youngest of three boys. I love military history, space history, old music, and baseball. But the thing that has changed my life the most is cancer. I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. The years that followed included many reconstructive surgeries. Throughout these years, I tried to always stay positive and use humor as a way to cope. However, less than six months ago, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target any remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. From the moment I was diagnosed, I didn’t let fear control me; instead, I saw it as a challenge to reshape my life and emerge stronger. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. However in November of 2024, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. From the moment I was diagnosed, I didn’t let fear control me; instead, I saw it as a challenge to reshape my life and emerge stronger. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. However in November of 2024, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. From the moment I was diagnosed, I didn’t let fear control me; instead, I saw it as a challenge to reshape my life and emerge stronger. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. However in November of 2024, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

I’m a two-time cancer warrior. In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. From the moment I was diagnosed, I didn’t let fear control me; instead, I saw it as a challenge to reshape my life and emerge stronger. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. On September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. However in November of 2024, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target remaining cancer cells. I am currently pushing forward through this trial. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I have learned to cope with this possibility of another relapse and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatric medicine. My journey with cancer has shaped the kind of nurse I aspire to be. Having experienced the physical and emotional challenges of treatment myself, I know firsthand how comforting it is to connect with someone who truly gets it. During my initial cancer treatment, I had a nurse who had battled leukemia as a child. Even though it was a different type of cancer, I quickly bonded with her as we would compare treatment and how it was transitioning from the cancer world to the survivor world. I believe this perspective will allow me to offer a unique level of empathy, compassion, and understanding to my future patients. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. For the next year, hospital rooms became my new world, filled with harsh drugs and surgeries. After months of treatment, on September 20, 2019, I was declared cancer-free. But transitioning from the hospital to school life was far more difficult than I imagined. Gaining the confidence to return to school became very difficult. I was thin, had little hair, and my worries were different from those of my peers. While they talked about grades, friends, and their team sport, I found myself consumed by the memories of my treatment and a fear of what the future held. I tended to reflect a lot on the people who were in treatment with me. Many of them were still being treated or their cancers had worsened. While I was given the gift of stepping back into the “normal”, they stayed behind, facing battles they could never win. The weight of being one of the lucky ones would often feel very heavy. Four months ago, just when I thought I was in the clear and celebrating five years cancer-free, I relapsed. The cancer had spread to my lung. The familiar routine of surgeries and treatments resumed. Currently, I am participating in a clinical trial with a drug called Cabozantinib, which targets any remaining microscopic cancer cells. The trial will continue for the next year. Every day feels like a balance between hope and fear, but it also serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance and revealed new interests. My time in the hospital sparked a natural love for medicine. I became almost addicted to understanding what was going on with me. During my treatment, I discovered my passion for a future in medicine. In high school, I expanded my knowledge of medicine by taking classes like sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assistant. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied this to my own medical history. Soon, I wanted a more hands-on experience. This summer I got my EMT certification and am now exploring volunteer opportunities with a rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I know, at any moment, I may have to face the reality of another relapse. I have learned to cope with this possibility and choose to instead focus on what matters the most to me. And this is to become a surgical nurse practitioner and to possibly stand next to the brilliant surgeon who got me to where I am today. My experiences with illness have not only taught me resilience but have also given me a unique perspective on life. I appreciate the value of every moment and the importance of helping others who are suffering. Despite the fear and uncertainty that continue to surround me, I am determined not to let cancer define my future. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing them that, no matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

In January 2019, at age 11, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in my right femur. From the moment I was diagnosed, I didn’t let fear control me; instead, I saw it as a challenge to reshape my life and emerge stronger. Over the next ten months, I underwent chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove the tumor. The treatment was grueling, and I often felt trapped in pain and hopelessness. I vividly remember sobbing to my mom one night, feeling broken and exhausted, and whispering that I couldn’t go on. It was a time of darkness, and I couldn’t see an end to the suffering. Finally, on September 20, 2019, I rang the bell to mark the end of my cancer journey. Yet, transitioning from hospital life to normal life wasn’t easy. I still had ten more months of immunotherapy and additional reconstructive surgeries. My worries felt worlds different than my friends. While they talked about grades and weekend plans, I was haunted by memories of my treatment and what the future had in store for me. Many of the people I met during my treatment were still fighting, and some had passed away. The weight of being one of the lucky ones often felt overwhelming. In November of 2024, just when I thought I was out of the woods and a month after celebrating five years cancer-free, they discovered that my cancer was back and had spread to my lung. Despite the setback, I opted for a year-long clinical trial with a drug to target remaining cancer cells. Despite the hardships of fighting cancer, the experience taught me perseverance, revealed new interests, and sparked a deep love for medicine. During my treatment, I became fascinated by the science behind what was happening to me. This newfound passion led me to explore medicine further in high school, taking courses in sports medicine, biology, health science, and medical assisting. While classmates learned lab values and cellular biology, I applied what I learned to my own medical experiences. I was constantly reading articles or watching documentaries focused on medicine. I spent hours playing surgeon simulator VR games. But soon I wanted more hands-on experience. So, on my 17th birthday, I began an EMT certification class. I completed this training, passed the national exam, and am now pursuing a position with a volunteer rescue squad in my community. As a teen cancer survivor, my fears, appreciation for life, and dreams for my future are heightened. I know, at any moment, I may have to face the reality of relapse. I have learned to cope with this possibility and chose to instead focus on what matters the most: living fully and pursuing my passions. And this is to become a surgical nurse practitioner and possibly stand next to the brilliant surgeon that got me to where I am today. Cancer will always be a part of me, but I won’t let it define what I can achieve in life.