Turning Adversity Into Purpose by Benjamin

Turning Adversity Into Purpose by Benjamin - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

When I was nine years old, my life changed forever. My father was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. Suddenly, the fun of my childhood was replaced by the smell of hospitals and the constant fear of the unknown. While other kids were learning from books, I was learning by watching my father fight for his life. During this hard time, I discovered a new strength in myself. I realized I had the power to turn my feeling of helplessness into a clear sense of purpose.
The exact moment I found this strength was while my father was at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. He had just gone through two more surgeries to remove cancer that had further spread to his bones. My mother was with him, but I was at home with my older sisters. Being two hours away made me feel completely powerless. I realized that I could not change his diagnosis, but I could choose how I responded to it. To fight the feeling of being stuck, I decided to take control of my future.
I called my parents at the hospital and told them that I had decided to become an oncologist. I wanted to dedicate my life to fighting the disease that was hurting our family. Hearing my decision made my mother cry tears of joy. She told me how proud she was of me. That phone call changed everything. The fear that usually made me feel frozen turned into a moment of clarity. I found the inner strength to turn my sadness into a life-long mission.
I did not wait until I was an adult to begin this work. The summer after my father's surgeries, I returned to the hospital environment, not as a worried relative, but as a volunteer in the oncology unit. I also looked for ways to help my local community. I founded a donation drive and fundraiser where I led an initiative to support the homeless. I raised $785 and collected essential items specifically focused on skin cancer prevention, bridging the gap between oncology and community service.
This journey has recently come full circle through my senior internship. I am currently interning at a cancer infusion center, the very same facility where my father receives his treatments. Being on the professional side of the IV pole in the place that saves my father’s life has solidified my commitment. I am no longer just a witness to the treatment process. I am an active participant in the care of patients who are facing the same battles my family has endured.
These experiences have guided every choice I have made in school. My goal to become a cancer doctor comes from the empathy I felt during those long days away from my father and the drive I felt to help my community. I know how scary a serious diagnosis can be for a family. I went from a scared young boy at home to a dedicated student who has already begun the work of fighting cancer through advocacy, service, and clinical experience. Today, I am not just a student. I am a future oncologist who uses the lessons of my father’s strength to face every new challenge.