I met my best friend, Ann, in early 2020 when we were both studying abroad in Spain. We were instantly great friends; going out to eat together, studying together, traveling and going to events. In March, the global pandemic started and both of us flew together back to the US. I lived on the east coast, while Ann lived on the west, and we couldn't visit each other during this time, but our friendship still grew strong.

Ann is one of the kindest people I know, and maintaining a long distance friendship has been so wonderful.

In August of 2022, I received a devastating text from Ann that she was in the hospital and that the doctors had found a large tumor on her liver. She ended up staying in the hospital for several weeks before they discharged her. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Carcinoma at 22 years old.

It was heart wrenching to find out. I thought back on the times we were running up the hills in Granada, or when we were sitting in classes together. It was possible that the whole time I knew her, this evil disease was growing inside her.

Today, Ann has undergone numerous surgeries, multiple rounds of radiation, countless rounds of chemotherapy, and now immunotherapy too. I look at her with an unthinkable level of admiration, she is so strong. Through all the pain, depression, and complicated questions, she has never changed how kind and friendly she is.

I will never know how I got so lucky had been placed in the same class as Ann back in 2020, but I will forever be grateful that it happened.

In October, I've vowed to run 100 miles, and fundraise for cancer research with ACS. We will not stop fighting until we are without cancer in this world.

Please consider making a donation, every small bit counts in our fight!