From the ages of 13 to 19, it seems like cancer pinpointed and haunted my family. As a child and young teen living care-free, cancer is not something you really know or think about, until it hits home. My life was first turned upside down when my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 44. At the time, her oncologist did not accept insurance, but they were the best-of-the-best, so my parents moved forward. Although they never made it known, they struggled in more ways than just dealing with my mom’s diagnosis. That’s when adulthood started for me. I got my first job at 14 and saved every penny I made to contribute to helping my mom fight cancer. My mom’s cancer unfortunately spread to her lymph nodes but after several surgeries, reconstruction, weeks’ worth of radiation and numerous chemotherapy treatments, I’m happy to report that my mom is 13 years cancer free.

But my family’s journey with cancer did not stop there. My senior year of high school, my heart was shattered once again. My dad was diagnosed with a rare, terminal form of appendix cancer and given three short weeks to live after a failed attempt at surgery. With much grit and his family in mind, my dad put up one hell of a fight and gave us 16-months-worth of memories.During his fight, there’s something that he said that will always stick with me. He had just come out of surgery and my sisters, mom and I were taking our turn sitting in the room with him. During my visit, he grabbed my hand and said, “I really don’t like when people pass away and others say, ‘He’s in a better place,” because there truly is no better place than here with you girls and mom.” It’s something that will be engraved in my heart forever.

Over the course of his 16-month battle, I had a front row seat at what cancer can do to someone so beautiful. I watched my in-shape, hard-working, full-of-life father wither away into a frail and delicate outline of what used to be his full figure. It was heart breaking to watch. From this experience, I have devoted my career to making a difference in the lives of those with cancer. I have made a promise to give back. And, I still pray every day for a cure and I’m hopeful that we will see that day, one day.