The one thing that is guaranteed in life is death. I learned that incredibly early on. The part of my story where I lost my dad is not particularly unique as there are a lot of other kids my age who have lost one or both of their parents. However, not every loss has turned into a passion and legacy. I was two years old when my dad died suddenly of a stroke. Losing a parent that young, made me “different” than my peers. I recognized this as early as preschool when my uncle would come for “Donuts with Dad” so I wouldn't miss the experience. As I grew up with the absence of my father, I noticed additional “differences.” The year after my dad died, my mom started a non-profit organization, The Scott Coopersmith Stroke Awareness Foundation (SCSAF), to raise awareness and help other stroke survivors. Every summer when my peers were looking forward to camps, I was looking forward to our annual gala and all that went into it. As soon as I was given the chance to help, I took it. I started off with small tasks like folding t-shirts, stuffing bags, and reading off raffle tickets at our gala. As I got older, I started writing and delivering my own toast for my dad every year in front of a sea of people. Being a part of this event, every year has helped me not only to develop strong public speaking skills, but also maintain a connection with my dad through stories told by his friends and family. When I started high school, SCSAF’s Board of Directors voted me in as Youth Philanthropy Officer. While my peers were playing video games, I was raising stroke awareness. I participated in World Stroke Day in Downtown Orlando with Mayor Buddy Dyer, did Facebook “lives” with my mom, and assisted her in every way I could. My first task as Youth Philanthropy Officer was to bring the awareness of stroke to my high school. My sophomore year, I approached my baseball coaches with an idea for a Stroke Awareness Night. They were on board with the idea, and I began to plan my first event. Before the game, I brought one of our coaches, a recent stroke survivor, and one of my teammate's brothers, also a stroke survivor onto the field. They threw the first pitches of the game and then a PSA that I wrote about FAST, the signs of a stroke, was played for all the fans in the stands.   I believe that my dad was proud of me and definitely with me that night. I am glad to be a part of SCSAF, which has helped me learn about the type of man that my dad was and the type of man I aspire to be. People want to be a part of something “BIG,” and my mom created something “BIG” out of our tragedy. Being a part of this nonprofit has given me confidence, taught me responsibility and communication skills. I believe it has better prepared me for success in the future which is my dad’s lifetime gift to me.