My name is Angela. I'm a nurse at a cancer research institute. When I started my nursing career, I said that I would never be a hospice nurse, and I would never work in oncology. I did become a hospice nurse and I loved it. I loved being part of a family's life in a very difficult time and I loved being able to help them in any small way from holding a hand or giving a hug to teaching families how to take care of their loved one as they were on their final journey.

My cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 2 years ago. She was given a big binder with a lot of information. Feeling overwhelmed she asked me to help her navigate the information. It was that day sitting on a beach in Northern Michigan that I realized I wanted to be on the fighting side of cancer. That is the start of the journey that find me being a clinic RN on the Multiple Myeloma team at my cancer institute. I knew next to nothing and very shortly marveled at all of the stories of LIVING that I hear testimonies of. Amazing stories of going from a prognosis of a few years to decades of survival. Research has given people their lives back.

I first heard of MMRF through the physician that I work with. He and his friend, and patient, hiked to the Everest Base camp with MMRF. I love hiking and had decided that in 2020 I want to summit a mountain. I climb because I can. I climb because many of my patients can't. I climb because raising funds for research will help someone live not just another day, but a better day, a healthier day. A day with Hope.