Tufts Blogs

From being deeply immersed in cultural practices in Narok, Kenya, to attending Tufts University, it is the kind of dream that will forever be etched in memory. In the beginning, my life was filled with dreams that seemed impossible to achieve. I’m not even sure if I truly dreamt, but daydreams frequented my mind like shooting stars streaking across the sky. A phrase that echoed constantly in my thoughts was, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." In reality, however, I was taking baby steps toward my cherished vision. Every stepping stone that was supposed to propel me closer to my dreams seemed to shatter just as I reached a new height. My obsession with ‘changing the world’ by creating cancer awareness was unwavering, and my determination was and remains relentless. But how could I make that dream a reality? Well, let me tell you.

The story of my mission to raise cancer awareness began when someone close to me passed away from the disease. Before that, I didn’t even know how to pronounce "cancer" correctly. This experience cast a harsh light on my ignorance and made me realize that cancer is no distant concern—it doesn’t care who you are. To my shock, I discovered that cancer has been around since 14 BC. From that moment, I started stitching together my thoughts, aiming to familiarize myself with the complex terminologies in the cancer field, holding onto a fragile thread of hope that one day, just maybe, I could leave a legacy. Initially, all of this was just in my head—words without action.

Reflecting on my younger self, three to four years ago, there wasn’t much I could do to reduce the impact of cancer. I was devastated to learn that approximately 1,600 people worldwide die from cancer every day. Imagining the pain their families endured shattered me. It felt as though in every battle against cancer, the disease emerged victorious. I tried spreading awareness to anyone who would listen, but much to my dismay, most people seemed indifferent, as if my words were merely noise. I realized that most people don’t grasp the gravity of cancer until it knocks on their own door.

Steve Jobs once said, "If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right." That sentiment resonated with me. For a while, I convinced myself that overcoming cancer was a battle reserved for the heavens. Doubt crept in, and impossibility seemed inevitable, but over time, I came to believe that change begins with the will of one person. My hopes and dreams kept me restless, knowing that the only thing that could truly satisfy me was making an impact, no matter how small.

Coming to Tufts opened up a whole new world of opportunities for reaching people, thanks to the campus's diversity. I’m convinced that this is the best chance I have to bring my dream to life—or at least get closer to it. My steps now feel stronger and more purposeful because I’m walking a path less traveled, and that makes all the difference. I am gliding, slow but steady, toward the realization of my dream. At this point, it’s no longer just a dream—it’s becoming a reality. Tufts has provided me with numerous opportunities and resources, and I’m determined to maximize my impact. As Russell M. Nelson once said, "You are never too young to learn, never too old to change." Keep dreaming!