The story of Kim
I was diagnosed with carcinosarcoma of the uterus (also known as malignant mixed Mullerian tumor, MMMT) in September 2015. Carcinosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive form of uterine cancer. Even though it constitutes only about 3-4% of uterine malignancy overall, it accounts for a disproportionate percentage of mortality associated with uterine malignancy. Research into effective treatments for this rare cancer is sorely lacking and subsequently, my 5-year survival rate is considered “dismal.” But I can’t abide by that story.
The reason I am sharing my story is to advocate for more money for researching effective treatments for carcinosarcoma – not just to save me – yes, I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt… Everyone certainly has at least one of those in their life already and the possibility that “she” could end up in a battle with this wife-killing monster hasn’t been enough to move my legislators to fully-fund the research to save her. So what will? Maybe this…
His name is Quinton Johnson. He will graduate with honors from high school in the spring. He recently interviewed at both Harvard and Yale but hasn’t decided where he wants to attend college yet. His story was not supposed to end up this way. He grew up in an economically-disadvantaged community where gangs are a way of life. His middle-school determined that he had ADHD and should be moved to an alternative school. His grandmother, who raised him and his sibling, would not abide by that story. She knew that Quinton just needed a better opportunity. So she found my non-profit organization, AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Once Quinton received an educational scholarship from AAA, he was given the opportunity to attend a school that better fit his learning needs. And he thrived – not just academically, but as a mentor and role model for other students at the school. Given the chance, he was able to change his story and now he has the whole world in front of him. AAA gave him that chance. That is my mission. I run AAA in order to give low-income kids, who would otherwise have no opportunity, a chance at a better life. We don’t guarantee outcomes – that is up to the student, the family and the school. We only guarantee an opportunity. And that is what my legislators will be doing for me when you fully-fund research into effective treatments for carcinosarcoma.
I need the opportunity to help more kids like Quinton. My legislators have the power to give me that opportunity. Who knows, maybe one of AAA’s scholars will find a cure for carcinosarcoma? Or maybe one will run for political office and have the power to fully-fund the research that will? My story was not supposed to end up this way. They have the power to change the ending. Will they?