My task this week is to think of a dream research project that is unrestricted by reality or current constraints that could potentially benefit children throughout the world.
My mind immediately went to childhood cancer. Each year approximately 13,400 children between the ages of birth and 19 years of age are diagnosed with cancer (ACCO.org, 2014). If I were to have unlimited research resources, without limitations I would work to cure childhood cancer. The ultimate, worldly benefit that would result from a positive research outcome would help many children and families all over the world.
The reason I would choose this topic has a personal story behind it. When I was 5, my best friend Katie was diagnosed with leukemia. I remember spending the next year with her at the hospital, and witnessing her go through the traumatic experience of chemotherapy, and, ultimately, losing her battle with cancer. As a then 7 year old, I don't think that I fully understood what had happened, and what this meant for me, my family, and most importantly Katie's family. I was sad to know my best friend was not around, and I recall being confused as to why we didn't go visit her in the hospital anymore.
Cancer is a disease that children fight each day. In some cases it makes it impossible for children to go to school, because of lowered immune systems, and some, like Katie, do not make it into adulthood. I know that this is a highly researched subject, and I hope that some day there is a cure, so that other families do not have to go through what Katie's did.
Reference
http://www.acco.org/information/aboutchildhoodcancer/childhoodcancerstatistics.aspx
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