I will never forget those words I heard on that night. We were heading into Boston Children’s Hospital, the one my sister had been in for a few days for a sustained fever she’d had for at least a week. I was worried about her, but I thought the worry would be over soon. But instead, I was told my sister has cancer, this thing that I have seen in movies and happen to others. But never would I have thought that it would happen to any of us, let alone my 4-year-old sister. Why did it have to be her? The thing that hurt me the most was that we had no idea what would happen. Yes, I was extremely happy that she was at Children’s, with the best doctors and the best nurses helping her, but none of us knew how things would develop.

However, it was also a moment of realization for me: That life is not guaranteed, and I need to appreciate my life while I still have it. I started to really live in the moment. I also signed up for the PMC with my dad to help other kids like my sister. After being in treatment for over a year, she is happy and healthy and back to her old self again.

Before, I had always thought about the future and about things I had done in the past. Now I feel as though I can truly focus and live in the things I am doing. I have learned to appreciate the moments I have with my family and especially my sister who I try to hang out with more and more. Through this experience of my sister having a life-threatening disease I have learned how to truly appreciate my life and those around me, and every single moment I have whether it be exciting or dull.