Hello, everyone! My name is Gabrielle Kim. I'm currently a 25 year old living with her dad to help support her dad with his difficult financial situations. I graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, CA with the Bachelor of Science degree in General Biology with the magnum cum laude honors, and included in the school president's list, in hopes of continuing my education in medical school. For one year, I've struggled with finding the motivation to get into medical school due to home financial situations that I felt was my duty to solve. I've tried my best in getting a job related to my field of studies that would be enough to pay for rent. However, finding a job was difficult with only a  bachelors degree, and there was the constant struggle in dealing with my passion for providing improved health care clashing with the need to help pay for accumulated debts from student loans and rent. My dad and I currently live in a 1 bedroom apartment, and pay $1,470 a month. Our apartment continues to increase our rent, and we're at the point where we must move out before we reach the point where we can't afford the 1 bedroom apartment we currently live in.

From constant support and encouragement from friends and family, I decided to take a stab at applying to naturopathic medical school in Portland, OR. The criteria was perfect: small classroom size, increased hands-on clinical experience that start from year 1, and located in a beautiful, diverse city in the West. Naturopathy was something that I've always been passionate about more than conventional medicine after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in my junior year of high school. When all the conventional physicians explained that the only way to cure my hyperthyroidism was to deactivate my thyroid and take hormone pills for the rest of my life, naturopathic physicians gave me an alternative to the invasive procedure, and allowed a way for my body to heal itself. Through my personal experience, I made it a promise to myself that I would try my best to provide the same alternatives and options to other individuals who are currently undergoing the same dilemma I've experienced. 

Within a few weeks of applying to NCNM, I was invited for an interview, and within a few days after the interview, I was accepted to NCNM for the 5 year ND program. All expense regarding housing (NCNM does not offer on-campus housing), living expenses, and tuition are all covered in my student loans, and the $8,000 scholarship I was awarded. However, I am still lacking enough funds to help support my move to Portland.

That being said, I'm currently raising money to help support my move to Portland in order to attend NCNM (national college of natural medicine), now currently changed to NUNM, for the Naturopathic Doctorate degree. All of the accepted donations will be used purely for my move, which includes: Utilizing a moving company to help transport necessary furniture, first month's rent, deposit, pet deposit (I have a kitty that I am not willing to part with), application fee, transportation fees when we drive to Portland, possible lodging in between Pomona and Portland during the drive, and other expenses that may be needed in between. Moving into a new apartment always costs more money than what's paid every month following afterwards. Classes at NCNM start on September 19, so financial aid will be dispersed after the 19th, meaning the month of September will not be covered with my financial aid. 

I am in need of any help I can get by August 29th, and latest September 1st. All extra donations will be used to help pay for my education. 

Through my hyperthyroidism experience, my mom passing away from cancer when I was 10 years old, and all the various minor health issues, depression, and anxiety issues that I've seen my family members face, it means the world to me to be able to receive the right education to help those in need of any alternative healthcare that may be needed. Through simple changes in my diet, exercise, and small lifestyle changes, it has taught me that our body has the capability to heal itself when given the right treatments, nutrients, and environment. Through naturopathy, I hope to give others an opportunity to experience the healing properties of natural medicine. 

Thank you so much to those who viewed my Go Fund Me page, and any contributions are welcome regardless of how small.  I will remember every one of you who help me continue on my educational journey, and will further pay it forward as my naturopathic medical career progresses.  :)

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.