Pursuing a Bachelor of Psychology at Mount Allison University.

Diagnosed with a medulloblastoma at 3 years old.

Generously funded by Deys Fabricating

Impact of receiving this award:

This award will profoundly impact my education and future. My experiences as a brain tumour survivor have shaped my goals and inspired my career path. I want to become a psychologist who works with children and adolescents who have faced medical trauma, helping them navigate not only the physical challenges of illness but the emotional ones too. I want to work in a children’s hospital, part of a team supporting young patients and their families during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

This award would allow me to focus fully on my studies at Mount Allison University without the burden of financial stress. It would give me the freedom to pursue the knowledge, training, and practical experience necessary to become an effective psychologist. I could take part in workshops, research opportunities, and internships that would prepare me to work directly with children in hospital settings. It would allow me to build the skills I need to help kids cope with fear, uncertainty, and the emotional strain that comes with serious illness.

This career path is deeply meaningful to me because I know firsthand the emotional challenges that come with medical trauma. During my own treatments, I often felt scared, isolated, and uncertain. I remember the nights in the hospital, the pokes, the tests, and the frustration of feeling different from everyone else. The professionals who showed understanding and compassion during those times made a lasting impact on me. I want to provide that same guidance to others, helping children feel supported, understood, and empowered even in the most difficult circumstances.

Beyond practical support, this award would also recognize my journey and mission. It would validate the experiences that have shaped me and reinforce my dedication to
this path. Knowing others believe in my potential would inspire me to work even harder, not only to excel academically but to become the kind of psychologist who makes a real difference in young patients’ lives. My experience as a survivor gives me a unique and powerful perspective. I understand the fear of uncertainty, the frustration of setbacks, and the emotional weight of medical trauma. I also know how much empathy, patience, and support can matter. Combining that lived experience with formal training in psychology will allow me to help children rebuild confidence, navigate challenges, and feel empowered despite what they are facing.

Ultimately, this award would be an investment not only in my education but in the well-being of countless children I hope to support throughout my career. It would help me pursue my dream of working in hospitals and collaborating with medical teams to provide care that addresses patients’ physical and emotional needs. It would bring me closer to a lifelong goal rooted in empathy, understanding, and healing, a goal inspired by the journey that shaped me from such a young age. Receiving this award would remind me that the challenges I faced as a child were not only obstacles but experiences that prepared me to help others. It would allow me to transform my survival into a source of hope, guidance, and care for children and adolescents facing medical trauma. It would let me dedicate my education and future to supporting young patients in ways I know firsthand can make a lasting difference.