About

The life of a typical 10-year-old is often consumed by school, activities, and hanging out with friends. For me, it was anything but. At 10, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Life as I knew it changed, and I was about to face three and a half years of treatment. It was a difficult time for me. I was in remission for about 2 years and had resumed normal activities. I was now enjoying life as a teenager when my life came to a screeching halt again. At 16, for the second time, I was diagnosed with leukemia and had to start my treatment all over again. After my initial round of chemo, I received a bone marrow biopsy which resulted in my doctors informing me that my body had built up a tolerance for the chemo and advised me to consider a bone marrow transplant. I soon underwent a week of high-dose chemotherapy and received radiation 3 times a day to help prepare me for my new bone marrow. Luckily the transport worked, and I am happy to say that as of this past August, I have been in remission for five years! Going through cancer as a child and teen stole away many memories I should have experienced, like going to school, participating in sports, going to the movies, and hanging out with friends. It also stole my confidence away. Now I have made it my personal mission to help other patients going through cancer as I did. I focused my energy on doing what I could to help others and have raised over $100,000 for childhood cancer with the nonprofit I started, Bags of Love Foundation. We provide care packages and scholarships for children, teens, and young adults.