Speaking Up: A Survivor's Next Chapter

I am an almost 25-year childhood cancer survivor. I was diagnosed 4 weeks before my 16th birthday with AML, a type of leukemia. I was given 3 weeks to live and a 5 to 15% chance of survival. I refused to let cancer win. I am living my best life, doing all the things I was never supposed to be able to do.

I share my story, bringing awareness to the reality of childhood cancer, and giving hope to others who are in the same battle. My life's passion is to see the end of cancer. I also personally deal with anxiety and have Asperger's, which affects aspects of my life. I want to show people with these challenges, or their own challenges, that they can overcome them and live a full and meaningful life.

One of my lifelong dreams is to have a career as a motivational and inspirational speaker where I can share my story and inspire the world to make a difference. I know I have the life experiences that can inform others of what someone like me has gone through and support those currently going through their own cancer journey.

I have the opportunity to be trained in being a motivational and inspirational speaker. I am trying to raise the money to enroll in this training.