My grandmother’s illness instigated my interest. When I was eleven years old, my grandmother, who never showed signs of pain, collapsed on an airplane while traveling and she was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia. At that time, both of my parents were working full time and did not have enough time to take care of her. Thus, I spent her last three years by her side. During those years, our time consisted of travels between her room and the hospital. I escorted her to the hospital for treatment every week and watched how she endured her pain. As a little child and until this day I have been afflicted and sad with the fact that I could not do anything for her. I watched many patients suffer from birth defects, cancer, and other diseases. I also witnessed many deaths including my grandmother. Even though I did not admit it at the time, I was very affected by the loss of my grandmother, but at the same time it stirred up in me an earnest desire to help the less fortunate. In retrospect, those years at the hospital have taught and inspired me to continue an education in research to find possible cures for leukemia patients and infantile paralysis.
Volunteer work was also an adventure that gave me assurance of choosing chemistry as my major. Volunteering at a hospital was a unique opportunity to learn how doctors and pharmacists work and I realized that there were many people who needed help. I also volunteered in the AIDS Walk, Green days, and in the LAUSD school game for the disabled for over sixty hours. This last volunteering opportunity was the most influential because I was allowed to spend time with disabled elementary school students and noticed that their physical and mental restraints were far greater than I imagined. Even though they struggled a lot every day they were very cheerful, innocent, and positive children that I was challenged to stop complaining and be more thankful for all I had. To share the blessings I have received, I want to improve the conditions of those who are medically handicapped.
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