Last year, Isabella’s father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, and soon after developed lymphoma. It was difficult for her to watch her father lose his battle to cancer. Her dad was her best friend, and always her biggest fan, believing she could do anything. She says: ”I am forever grateful for everything he taught and did for me, and he forever lives in my heart”.
Alice’s journey toward a career in oncology has been deeply personal. During her freshman year, her father was diagnosed with cancer, which left her determined to contribute to the fight against cancer. She immersed herself in a summer medical program, at Tufts where she conducted lab tests, worked with real data, and explored the field of health sciences—realizing her desire to become a doctor.
Last year, in Ryan’s second semester of junior year, he was diagnosed with cancer, requiring surgery and chemotherapy. Weightlifting was usually his coping mechanism, but he was unable to continue with weightlifting due to side effects from the chemotherapy. Undeterred, Ryan says, “regarding cancer’s impact on my future goals, it has only fueled my ambitions.”
During her junior year, Giuliana’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer—a life-changing event that reaffirmed her passion for medicine. At the time, she was already volunteering weekly at Beth Israel Lahey Outpatient Center, assisting nurses in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. This personal experience deepened her commitment to oncology, leading her to complete 60 hours as a Radiation Oncology Intern in Peabody. She now aspires to become a Radiation Oncologist.
Adriana’s story is one of hope and resilience. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer before Adriana was born and experienced a recurrence a year later. Despite being told she may never get pregnant, Adriana’s mother never gave up hope—and that hope was realized with Adriana’s birth. Through her mother, Adriana learned the importance of gratitude and the power of simple acts of kindness.
Fueled by creativity and passion, Luke plans to pursue a career in film. He already writes, produces, and edits his own short films and interviews, and composes music and performs both as a solo artist and with a band.
When she first heard her mother had breast cancer in 2022, Giselle felt overwhelmed as she became her mom’s primary support system for two years, accompanying her to every medical appointment as a translator and source of comfort.
When Erin’s dad was diagnosed with cancer, he asked her to stay positive. Sadly, he lost his battle to liver cancer after just seven months, when she was only thirteen years old. Every day Erin wishes, and knows her dad also wishes, that he could be standing next to her for all life’s important moments. But, she says,” Michael Robert Paul shaped my life in more ways than I can count; whether that’s not to be afraid even when I might be, staying positive, and looking for the good, even in the darkest situations.”
Michael’s mother’s ovarian cancer diagnosis upended his family’s world. As his mother’s health declined, he witnessed her resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. In the wake of her passing, Michael was inspired to adopt her mindset in his own life, to honor his mom’s legacy. Michael says, “his mom’s memory serves as a guiding light to never lose sight of what truly mattered: love, family and faith. Her spirit guides him each day in gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to make a difference.
After college, Nicholas pursued his interest in oncology conducting research at the National Institute of Health through UGSP, a program for high-performing students from disadvantaged backgrounds. His work focused on T-cell therapies for pediatric malignancies and on bladder cancer.
Lucille lost her mother to Gastric Stomach cancer at age 4. She said, “it has been the hardest thing I had to learn to live with; a piece of my identity, my role model missing from my life.”
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