Help Sylvia get into Medical School

Hello Everyone!

I hope this Gofundme message finds you well! I am writing to share an exciting, yet much needed, educational support opportunity and to humbly ask for your support.

My name is Sylvia Sawislak and I have a burning passion for Medicine! I have long dreamt of becoming a doctor, deciding I wanted to become a physician at the age of 10!

I am deeply passionate about serving others and making a positive impact on people’s health. Specifically, I am extremely interested in contributing towards children’s health and health equity. And I believe pursuing a career in medicine is the most meaningful way for me to be of service.

It is also important to highlight, as some of you may know, that I am Roma, adopted from a large orphanage in Bulgaria where I spent my first thirty months. From my powerful personal experience, and being raised in the US, with access to an excellent education, I've developed a keen interest in Roma health and health justice!

Much work is needed to create health equity for Roma children worldwide! Yet there are still very few Roma doctors able to contribute to the changes needed. It would be an honor to use the privileges I've been given to pursue my dreams and become a Roma physician engaged in this crucial work.

I am thrilled to share that I am taking the first direct steps towards the goal of becoming a doctor by preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in 2024. This exam is pivotal for aspiring medical students and assesses one's knowledge in sciences, critical thinking skills, and ability to apply concepts in real-world scenarios. However, preparing for this exam is not just rigorous to study for, but also financially challenging. Ranging from study materials, tutors, and exam fees, the costs quickly add up, especially for individuals like myself who face financial constraints.

To share more of my background and experiences thus far, I am currently working full-time as a Medical Assistant at Kiwi Pediatrics in Berkeley, CA, an excellent practice serving many low-income children, while studying for the MCAT. I graduated from UC Santa Cruz last June studying Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (which I loved)!

In 2021, I volunteered as a Scribe at Kiwi Pediatrics, where I gained first hand experience in the medical field. Prior to this, I had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Student Research Program at UCSF Children's Hospital in 2021, where I dedicated an entire summer to researching pediatric blood transfusions, subsequently presenting my findings at a research symposium. Not shortly after, I had the privilege of shadowing pediatrician Dr. Charles Clemons at Davis Street Clinic in San Leandro and at Youth Spirit Artwork’s Tiny House Empowerment Village, deepening my understanding of pediatric care for poor and unhoused people. Additionally, I then volunteered in Berlin during the summer of 2022, providing support to Ukrainian child refugees and making connections with Roma activists and scholars. Further, in 2022 I contributed to the creation of a children's book chronicling the story of a Roma boy during the Holocaust, a project led by Prof. Hristo Kyuchukov that is soon to be published. Most recently, I have been honored to join the Board of Directors of Voice of Roma, a Roma culture and human rights education non-profit, where I hope to continue advocating for marginalized communities and making a meaningful impact.

I need a total of $3,000 to pay for tutoring and materials and with the income from my job I simply don't have the funds needed. So I'm approaching my community in hopes that with even small gifts, you might help me with this needed step in making my dream of becoming a doctor come true!

Every dollar raised in this Gofundme campaign will go directly towards covering the expenses associated with the MCAT, primarily towards tutoring and study tools.

I am incredibly grateful for your generosity, encouragement, and belief in my dreams. Thank you for your support. I am so thankful for the loving community around me!

Sincerely,

Sylvia