The family car was getting packed as the children ran through the flower garden, laughed, and played. The parents smiled while their hearts ached, knowing that this would be the last trip they would take all together. Her little hands picked up a wildflower. They studied every feature of her. They couldn’t imagine a life without this little girl, but soon, she would no longer be with them. One less plate would be set out for Sabbath dinners. Games underneath the towering oak trees would be dull. This little girl had been diagnosed with cancer. A word that no parents want to hear. A word that her best friend, her sister, never wanted to hear. A word that rips apart families. A word that leaves holes in hearts. A word that ends lives. But a word that creates beautiful, raw, and moving stories. This little girl was my mother’s sister. They were best friends growing up. They ran through wheat fields together, danced under the stars, and had an unbreakable bond. She passed away from childhood cancer. Because of this, I want to become a pediatric oncology nurse. I want to step alongside families as they watch their children go through something so arduous and heartbreaking but celebrate with them on the other side when their little girl rings the bell signaling that she is cancer-free. I want to bring positivity, light, and understanding as I step into the little boy's hospital room as his parents struggle with their child’s diagnosis. I want to put smiles on children's and families' faces, making the cancer journey a little less daunting. But I also want to cry and hold her mother when the doctor says there is nothing more that he can do to save her life. I want to hold her mother’s hand and she weeps because her daughter is passing away. I want to be in the raw and messy floor of pediatric oncology and make an impact. I want to celebrate, weep, and encourage families. Additionally, I want to practice great medicine. I am fascinated with how the human body functions and am entering into my sophmore year of nursing school in the fall of 2023. Although nursing school is challenging, I am dedicated to pursuing excellence in the classroom so I can then pursue excellence in a hospital setting. As the family car was packed, the parents loaded their five children into the car, knowing that their future would look a lot different than it did that day. It did. But now, almost forty years later, their story has inspired me to make an impact, honor her life, and become a pediatric oncology nurse. Lastly, this scholorship will help me achieve my goal of continuing my education to become a nurse debt free. Thank you for your consideration.