We can all agree – cancer sucks. In 2017, I was diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for the future, but I didn’t let it define me. My surgeries left me uncoordinated, with double vision, and several physical limitations that meant no more competitive sports and a prolonged break from playing the violin. Dealing with nausea and vomiting became a daily struggle, and my hair went from Beiber to Pitbull in record time. But with the support of my family, community, and humor, I found ways to turn challenges into opportunities to spread joy and positivity.

During chemo, painful G-tube cellulitis and low blood counts frequently placed me in the hospital. I was miserable, and positivity became a necessity. So, I started a joke exchange with my daily visitors. The moments of shared laughter, especially with the nurses, became some of the brightest spots during those tough days. Yo Mama jokes became my secret weapon against the cancer monster.

My treatments left me with lifelong side effects and a vertically challenged stature. I’m parked at 5’2″, forcing me to shop in the kids’ section and use a stepstool to reach the top shelf. I’m barely taller than Lady Liberty’s nose, and I’m sensing that the ladies don’t dig it. But I embrace this and strive to spark joy everywhere I go. I might be pocket-sized, but I’ve got a sense of humor that towers above. My experience has deepened my appreciation for life, and I’m committed to filling each day with positivity and spreading joy and laughter.

After watching how the medical community helped make my fight easier, I wanted to become a pediatric oncologist and pay it forward to future cancer victims. After being involved with several decision-making processes in my parents’ medical practice, doing internships with small businesses, and shadowing physicians in clinical settings, I’ve since discovered an appreciation for combining medicine with business.

I realized pediatric oncologists, our heroes without capes, can only help the patients they see. I can help the entire cancer-fighting population by creating a biotech company that researches new cures and produces more affordable and effective medications. So that I can better understand the inner workings of the oncology industry, I want to study business administration and supply chain management in college. I plan to gather the necessary resources, recruit stellar scientists, and create a healthy lab environment. Only 4% of current cancer research funds go to childhood cancer, and I want to give these kids the attention they deserve.

My oncologist said I may not graduate high school, but l’m happy and healthy, and I rank in the top 5% of my class. This scholarship will jumpstart my journey of fighting cancer-from a different perspective this time-and allow me to graduate college debt-free. NCCS will help me positively impact the struggling community of cancer warriors by allowing me to use my time to innovate and stay dedicated to my studies instead of working to pay for college.