“My tenacity and empathy fuel my desire to help change my world. I am strong, and my persistence is going to help me achieve my goals. Knowing the resources I have and not utilizing them is unacceptable. My future starts with tomorrow, and tomorrow looks promising because it starts with a chance at a higher education.”

“Most cancer survivors will tell you that they never want to go through it again, but that cancer gave them a gift: the true meaning to life. I was given that gift also; I along with thousands of other childhood cancer survivors. We were only given this gift at an early age. It is up to us to use this gift to make a difference."

“I have gradually come to realize that there is so much I have gained from this experience. Of most importance is an appreciation of issues from a patient’s perspective, an understanding that will help me as I work towards becoming a physician.”

“I want to somehow reciprocate for everything; all the kindness, generosity, inspiration, and blessings I have received. I have been given so much and now it is my turn to give back.”

“If I strive to reach a goal I will not let anything obstruct me. I will work hard until I fulfill my dreams, because if I had ever given up on fighting cancer, I would not be alive right now.”

“I realize now that although it was a traumatic time in my life, the experience helped to enhance my character. I am sure that I would not be the same person I am today if I had not dealt with cancer.”

“We must always have the courage to move beyond hope and into action. But we must have the judgment to know when that flood of emotion we want to ascribe to ‘courage’ is really foolish impatience.”

Chloe Greenbaum
Rye Brook, NY
Dartmouth College

“I am eternally grateful for the handfuls of love bestowed upon me by the people in my life, and I am fully devoted to paying it forward by helping others in need."

Ethan Helm
Mabelvale, AR
University of Arkansas Medical School

“Cancer inspired me to become proactive. It taught me that I have a limited time to make the world a better place. I felt an urgent desire to change the world, a desire that has only grown with time.”

“My favorite quote, attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, is ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’. I’m not sure if I can change the world, but I do want to continue making a difference wherever, and whenever, possible and always appreciating the valuable gift of time.”