Empower Sarah's path to Doctorate of Nursing and Midwifery

From Tears to Triumph: Honoring My Mother’s Sacrifice Through My Dream of Becoming a Doctor in Nursing Practice and Certified Midwife

Hi, my name is Sarah Cuellar, and I’m writing this with a heart full of hope and a dream that’s been years in the making. I’m currently pursuing a dual program, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Nurse-Midwifery (DNP-NM) at Baylor University. This isn’t just a degree to me — it’s a mission. A personal journey that began long before I filled out an application or set foot in a classroom.

It began with my mother.

My mother, a strong, selfless woman who came to the United States from Mexico with nothing but courage and a dream. She left behind her entire life — her family, her friends, her home — so that her children could have opportunities she never did. She raised five of us on her own, worked three jobs to put food on the table, keep a roof over our heads, and teach us the meaning of resilience.

I got into Baylor University once before, but we couldn’t afford to make it happen. It broke my heart to walk away from the opportunity — knowing I had the potential, but not the financial means.

Still, I never gave up. I made her a silent promise: her sacrifices would never be in vain.

Through determination, hard work, and faith, I got myself back into Baylor, my dream university. I’m now on the path to becoming both a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner and a nurse-midwife — a provider who will care for women during some of the most sacred, vulnerable, and powerful moments of their lives.

But I’ve reached a financial crossroads. Despite working tirelessly to support this dream, I’ve fallen short on tuition. I’m humbly asking for help — not just to remain in school, but to honor the journey, the sacrifices, and the purpose that have brought me this far.

I’m not just a daughter fulfilling a promise — I’m also a mother, raising two sets of twins. Everything I do is for them, just as my mother did for me. I want them to see what true strength looks like. I want them to grow up knowing that dreams are worth pursuing, even when the path is steep. And above all, I want to show them that with sacrifice, faith, and the support of a community, anything is possible.

If you feel moved to support me — whether through a donation, sharing my story, or offering kind words — please know that you’re doing so much more than helping me cover school expenses. You’re helping me keep a promise. Most importantly, you’re showing my four children that with determination and a supportive community, dreams can come true and legacies can live on.

With all my heart,

Sarah E. Cuellar, MSN, APRN, FNP-C