I survived cancer, help me survive grad school

I survived brain cancer when I was 2 and a stroke when I was 20 -- now help me survive grad school

 

When I was diagnosed with brain cancer (posterior fossa ependymoma) at age 2, I had a 22% chance of surviving the next 5 years.

This month I am turning 26 and started a graduate program in occupational therapy at NYU.

 

You might think once I reached the 5 year-mark my fight was over, but it really just began.

 

The brain surgery at Johns Hopkins, the 6-month inpatient chemotherapy at Children’s (CNMC), and the radiation I received  at St. Judes helped save my life in 1997-1998, but because the treatments at that time were very aggressive, I continue to face many health problems as a result.

I could go into detail but it ruins the fun, so here’s a list of the big ones:

My health conditions have had a major financial impact on my family, from debt due to medical expenses and my mom having to leave her career for many years to take care of me. She’s my superhero and even now, has helped me with my 70+ medical appointments this year.

 

My parents have sacrificed so much and I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am today, because survival isn’t the only thing I want to accomplish. I want to make my academic efforts worth it, and make everyone who has helped me along the way, proud. This includes not only my family, but all of the medical professionals that helped me survive, and my teachers and friends that have supported me through all these years. 

It’s rare for someone who had childhood brain cancer in the year that I had it, with the treatment that I had, to even be alive or have graduated from college, let alone have the opportunity to pursue their dream career.

 

I want to be an occupational therapist because I want to lift the spirits of people with health challenges and disabilities, and help them build strength and adapt so they can be independent and do activities they love.

Of the thousands of doctors appointments I've had, occupational therapy actually wasn’t one of them -- it was my twin sister (fraternal) who went because she had low muscle tone as a kid. My mom brought me along, and because they were so fun, I never realized they were medical appointments. That’s what I want -- to make healing a fun experience for people amidst all the hardships, and bring my creativity and love for crafting to interventions so they’re engaging and therapeutic.

I’m still fighting as much as I can, but I’m asking for your help so I can have one less battle as I continue to move forward with purpose.

I still have $30,000+ in student loans for the University of Delaware, and my parents owe much more in parent loans. 

NYU’s current estimated total tuition is $141,755.

My estimated cost for textbooks is $1,000 per semester.

 

I know $145,755 is a lot, and that’s why I’m asking for any help you’re able to give. No donation is too small, I am so grateful for any contribution. I would also appreciate it if you could share this link.