My Story
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I am a 22-year-old student who will soon graduate with a degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations. I am very passionate about eating healthy, exercising and doing what makes your heart happy. After I graduate college, I plan on working for a children’s non-profit organization to help raise money and bring smiles to children with life threatening illnesses. I was not sure what I wanted to do for a long time, but I finally decided after going on a journey I never expected to travel on.
On May 24, 2012, at just 17-years-old, I was given news that would change my life forever. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. The cancer was located in my lower right calf (a tumor the size of a tennis ball), as well as in my bone marrow. After undergoing 54 weeks of chemotherapy and six weeks of Photon Therapy Radiation, I was declared cancer free on July 10, 2013. My battle with cancer was not something I would want anyone to go through, but in the end, I am very thankful for cancer because of what it has done for my life.
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I was still considered a child when I was diagnosed. This meant I got treated at my local children’s hospital. Even though I was considered a child, I was fairly old compared to all the other children. I embraced my age and used it as guidance for myself and for other patients. Cancer brings many hard days for people, but I tried to push away all of those days and turn them into better ones by remaining positive and keeping a smile. I have shared my story at multiple fundraisers with 300+ people for our hospital and other local non-profits in the area. I became the patient ambassador for cancer patients to help them cope with this awful disease. I was able to share a story that many fear to share. I also loved being bald because it showed people I was not afraid. My journey of battling cancer is what led me to my future career and showed me what real strength, dedication, motivation and passion was.
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I am now 3 years cancer free and living life to the fullest, but doing it in a whole and healthy way. I was healthy before I had cancer; I played lacrosse, soccer and swam for my high school, and I was a half marathon runner. After being diagnosed though, I decided to take healthy to a whole new level and that is why I am surviving!
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I conquered cancer, so I decided it was time to conquer a healthy life!
