My experience surviving childhood leukemia has been the greatest obstacle I have faced in my life. While visiting Trinidad in 2015, I became severely ill. I was extremely tired, and the lymph nodes in my neck were rapidly swelling. After returning home, I was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
For the next three and a half years, I underwent difficult chemotherapy treatments and spent many nights in the hospital. At eight years old, I didn’t fully understand the severity of what I was going through, but cancer affected nearly every part of my life. I missed most of third grade and fell behind in school. I didn’t see my friends and felt socially disconnected. I also had to stop playing sports for a while because I needed to protect the port in my chest.
After years of exhausting treatments, I eventually became cancer-free. Although my experiences with cancer—and the learning disabilities I continue to manage—have created challenges in my life, they have also shaped who I am and influenced the direction of my education and future goals. These experiences have inspired me to continue working hard and find ways to make a positive difference in the world.
I have always been interested in working with computers, which led me to pursue a degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Stevenson University. I am currently a sophomore, and my goal is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics and pursue a career as a cybersecurity architect or penetration tester. I am particularly interested in identifying vulnerabilities in computer networks and systems and finding solutions to help businesses protect themselves against cyberattacks and security breaches.
Being a part of the Cancer for College community and receiving this scholarship has helped me tremendously. It has allowed me to focus more fully on being a student instead of having to balance long work hours with my academic responsibilities. My academics are my top priority, and it is a relief to worry less about how I will pay for my tuition while also decreasing the burden on my mom. Because learning can take additional time and effort for me, I can dedicate more time to my studies and participate in internships, clubs, and my college tennis team.
After having to step away from sports during my cancer treatment, being able to continue playing tennis is especially meaningful to me. Without this scholarship, I may have had to get a job to help pay for tuition, which could have meant giving up tennis again. I am determined to maintain strong grades so that I can continue receiving this scholarship and make the most of the opportunities it has given me.
I am very grateful to Cancer for College and everything they have done to help me succeed. This scholarship is giving me the opportunity to focus on my education, pursue my goals, and continue being involved in the activities that are important to me.
