In October of ‘24, I underwent surgery for a mass in my breast. It was the scariest point in my life. The questions invaded my mind and my heart for the better. During my recovery, I researched breast oncology and tumors. In my labs with my doctor, I was asking her so many questions that I thought she would kick me out. (Thank God she was a professional.) We developed a great bond. My surgeon’s name was Dr. Kaitlin Farrell. She comforted me in one of the lowest points of my life. She saw the fire behind my eyes with each question and perspective we brought to her. She offered me to shadow her for the summer, which I gladly accepted.
This summer, she not only took me under her wing but also served as my mentor. After seeing how she comforted her patients facing fear and uncertainty, I realized I want to do something meaningful and purposeful in life.
I intend to study Biochemistry to fulfill my dreams of being a women’s surgical oncologist and researcher. I have a burning fascination and wonder about breast oncology. As a black woman, I am poorly represented in this fight, and that is why I want to know how and why it affects me. I want to understand what unexplored treatments can reduce the effects of cancer. Such as how environmental effects and genetics affect breast cancer, and how we can counteract these factors as a whole. Even if I fall, I will always get back up because I can rely on the empowerment from my friends and family. Cancer is a horrible disease, and I want to use every fight of my body to improve the treatments and possibly even cure breast cancer.
If I cannot study Biochemistry, my second major choice is Chemistry, so I aspire to study new drugs and chemotherapies. Another one of my goals is to open my own lab to advance cancer treatments, as we know them. With the financial help from this scholarship, I can make a positive change in this world, academically and passionately, with love.
I firmly believe one cannot help others physically without assisting them mentally and emotionally. I want to be more than “just” a doctor to my patients. I want to be a friend and sister.