Being a 21-year-old college student who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 9, it is hard to believe that I’ve spent more of my life after diagnosis than I did before it. The severity and chaos of the situation, since I was so young at the time, did not sink in until years after I reached remission back in 2015. To think back now and realize that a child who was just then learning cursive and multiplication had to undergo a myriad of treatments and procedures is not only eye-opening but also empowering.

I’ve always had a love for science and math, and as a kid who was suddenly surrounded by intelligent doctors, complex treatments, and a life-threatening disease, it was as if I was suddenly thrown into the deep end of the world of medicine; meanwhile, in class, we learned about rocks and naming planets; this juxtaposition of where my mind was forced to be certainly had a positive impact on how I viewed learning and my cancer journey. This exposure to the idea that there was an intrinsic enemy, within me and millions across the world by the name of cancer, was the first spark of an idea to pursue a cure.

Now, after taking chemistry, biology, and physiology, I understand that the word “cure” does not necessarily apply to cancer. Cancer is complex, and each person experiences slight variations in treatment because every cancer is slightly different from others that bear the same name. While this is a downside and a complication to research, it only makes me more inspired and curious about how I can make an impact. Now, it is safe to assume that my diagnosis, treatment, and love for science all had a role in my choosing a life of research and learning. I am currently a third-year biomedical engineering student, and I am pursuing a career in cancer biology research. Beyond doing research in college, I hope to go on to graduate school to attain a doctorate in cancer biology. With this, I would like to explore the uniqueness and eccentricities of blood cancers, specifically ALL.

Outside of my academic career, I have been fortunate enough to be involved with both the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. With LLS, I have participated in over a decade of fundraising and spreading awareness to the world of blood cancers. I have also met many determined individuals, both survivors and supporters, who have helped me stay motivated in the cause; most recently, I even started a club at The Ohio State University to fundraise and spread awareness for LLS. With Cincinnati Children’s, I have spent almost a decade on their Patient Advisory Council. There, I have worked with amazing staff and patients from all departments to inspire and inform change from the perspective of the patient.

Without my diagnosis, I simply cannot imagine what my life would be like now, seeing as I’ve spent so long as a survivor. To say that the journey was easy and that I’m thankful for having been through it would be untrue; however, I am eternally grateful for my family, friends, peers, and teachers who have all helped to guide me through this journey and to support me in my mission to bring light to the darkness of cancer. My experiences have gotten me this far, and I cannot wait to see where they take me in the future.