Meet the 2023 Scholars

"Write a letter to your younger self during a key moment in your life addressing one or more of the following: words of encouragement, lessons you have learned and/or challenges you have overcome."

Dear Maddie, You are stronger than you think. Even though you are scared right now and not sure what the future holds with a little courage you will not only improve your life, but the lives of thousands of other people. I know you are not sure if you should participate in this clinical trial because of the complexity of the trial and the amount of time it will consume, but in the long run you will see that even at the young age of nine you can make a huge difference. I know there are many obstacles that you will need to overcome to participate in the study, such as learning how to swallow pills, over coming your fear of numerous blood draws, and figuring out how to manage all the extra doctor’s appointments. I hope you realize that making these sacrifices now will make a huge impact of the quality and longevity of your life and give you an opportunity to live out your dreams as you get older. I also hope you understand that you were chosen by your doctor for a reason because she knew that you would take it very seriously and be very compliant with the requirements of the study. Being in the study will not only be beneficial for you medically, but it will also help you decide your career path and help you find your passion for working in the medical field. Working so closely with the nurses and research coordinator you will see firsthand the positive impact compassionate care can have on a patient. This will give you the drive to want to do the same for other people and decide to major in nursing in college. Taking one small step now will give you and many others the opportunity to take many more “steps” into their future so be brave and think big.