They say it takes a village to achieve a dream, and today, I’m reaching out to mine. I’ve worked hard to get here, but I need your support to take the next big step in my journey.

This year, I achieved a milestone in my family’s history. I became the first to be accepted into a postgraduate program. This brings me closer to my lifelong dream of becoming a Physician Assistant (PA) and serving communities like the one I grew up in. But to make this dream a reality, I need your help.

My name is Blessing Babalola, and my journey has been filled with obstacles. As a first-generation college graduate, I have faced financial hardships, limited opportunities, and systemic barriers just to pursue my education. But nothing has shaken my passion for healthcare, advocacy, and service—a passion rooted in my childhood experiences.

Growing up, I watched my older sister struggle with sickle cell anemia. Watching her endure constant pain with bravery was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Our frequent hospital visits exposed the harsh reality of healthcare inequities—where access to quality care often depends on financial means, leaving many without the treatment they need. Her resilience shaped my determination to pursue a healthcare career. I knew I wanted to help ensure that no one, especially in underserved communities, had to choose between receiving quality healthcare and financial stability.

That dream carried me through my undergraduate studies at Lehman College, where I dedicated myself to community service, volunteering, and advocacy. I took on multiple extracurricular activities while tackling a science-heavy course load, participating in research studies and publications, and studying late into the night just to keep up my grades—pushing myself beyond my limits as a pre-health student who also triple majored in Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry (ABC). And now, that perseverance has paid off. I have been accepted into the Physician Assistant program at Pace University- Lenox Hill!

This opportunity is life-changing. As a PA, I will be able to provide compassionate, preventive, and life-saving care to those who need it most. I will work to address healthcare disparities, help bridge language barriers in healthcare, and ensure that families like mine don’t have to suffer in silence.

But PA school is a full-time, intense program, making it impossible for me to work while covering tuition, books, medical equipment, and living expenses. Unfortunately, scholarship opportunities for graduate studies are limited. Despite this, I have applied for multiple scholarships and will continue to do so, hoping to secure additional funding for my education. With classes beginning in the Summer, the uncertainty of scholarship outcomes weighs heavily on me, as I may not receive any awards in time to meet my financial deadlines.

The PA program lasts two years, beginning with the Didactic Year, which focuses on classroom learning, followed by the Clinical Year, which provides hands-on, supervised experience in real-world clinical settings.

My first semester at Pace University - Lenox Hill starts in July 2025, and I must raise $19,700 to cover tuition and fees. This is the first step toward my ultimate goal of $138,262 to complete the two-year program. Below is a detailed breakdown of the costs:

Didactic Year

Summer 2025: $19,700

Fall 2025: $19,700

Spring 2026: $19,700

Summer 2026: $19,700

Fee: $6,952

Total = $85,752

Clinical Year

Fall 2026: $14,910

Spring 2027: $14,910

Summer 2027: $14,910

Fee: $7,780

Total = $52,510

Click Here for Tuition Breakdown

Click Here for PA Curriculum

The donations I receive from this GoFundMe will go directly towards my tuition.

At a recent scholarship award ceremony, I was reminded to always run toward my fear. Setting up this crowdfunding campaign has been one of those fears. I worry that no one will donate, and people might look at me differently for asking for help. But I choose to overcome that fear because my goal of becoming a Physician Assistant is far greater than my fear. I will not let pride or uncertainty stop me from seeking the support I need to make this dream a reality. If I have learned anything, it’s that no one achieves success alone, and I am grateful for every bit of help along the way.

I cannot do this alone, but with your support, I know I can succeed.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will help me take one step closer to my dream of serving as a healthcare provider. If you cannot donate, sharing this campaign is just as powerful. Every bit of support brings me one step closer to making this dream a reality.

Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being part of my journey.

Blessing