Team Determination

When I was a child, I spent many hours at Boston Children’s Hospital while doctors tried to understand my breathing issues. I can still remember the playroom full of children—laughing, coloring, fighting for a sense of normalcy. I didn’t know then that they were receiving cancer treatment, or that my own unknown condition could have put them at risk.  When I finally learned I had a unique form of asthma, the memory of the other children's quiet bravery stayed with me.

 

That memory came rushing back years into my career when a close friend’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. I watched my friend care for her with unwavering love. I spent time with both of them during her final months, grateful for every story, every moment of warmth. She passed during the height of COVID, and I had the honor of speaking at her celebration of life. Her generosity and spirit are still deeply missed.

 

Not long after, another coworker learned her cancer had returned, more aggressive than before. Even then, she showed up each day with resilience that lifted everyone around her. Her strength reminded me of those children behind the hospital glass and of all the courage people summon when faced with the unthinkable.

 

These experiences are why I’m raising money for the American Cancer Society. Funds raised go towards research, supporting patients, and provides resources paired with hope.