I was born with a fatal blood disease, Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, and as a result have spent many days and hours in the company of highly specialized and trained medical staff. I am most happy to say that I underwent a successful Stem Cell transplant (Bone Marrow Transplant) at the age of six months (June of 2000) at Duke University Hospital under the care of Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg. The transplant saved my life and is a continuous reminder of how blessed I am. I will always be grateful for the opportunity of life this procedure gave me and my family.
I am a huge advocate of being able to put to use something that in a lot of cases would be disposed of. It is my belief that by studying stem cells, cord blood and developing new procedures, many children and adults, like me, might be able to medically benefit from this knowledge while improving and lengthening their lives. I encourage everyone to become a volunteer donor because when something tragic and/or unexpected happens, it can and does make a significant difference in someone else’s opportunity at life. Almost immediately, it can turn a negative event into a more positive one and can help so many people.
Since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to become a nurse and to help people. During my long stay in the hospital and years of follow up care, I was lucky to have many special nurses in my life that cared for me. They always made sure I was well taken care of and emphasized and encouraged no fear to me and my parents regardless of any procedures that I had to endure. They made a lasting impression on me even though I was very young.
It is my hope to one day be able to do the same thing for other patients and their families. I feel the knowledge I gained thru my experiences will help me to become an exceptional nurse. I am outgoing and love to interact with all types and ages of people. I have always been a compassionate person and have helped take care of my family. My mother was diagnosed with MS when I was 9 years old and she taught and allowed me to give her the daily injections she had to take. My Grandfather was a diabetic and recently passed away with cancer. I spent countless hours helping him in any way I could. My paternal Grandmother is blind and I take her to the grocery store and help her as well. Becoming a nurse will allow me to take care of others which I feel is a very important and a necessary profession, as well as living the best version of myself every day.
I have really enjoyed all my Health Science classes and pushed myself to excel in them. This past summer, I was selected to volunteer at Mission Hospital. I spent two full days each week working in various departments of the hospital. I was able to work in the heart tower, the child care center, nutrition and imaging. I very much enjoyed interacting with the patients and on occasion their families. I also spent time volunteering at the Mission’s Children’s Hospital working with children with multiple disabilities such as autism.
I am currently enrolled in a Nursing Fundamentals class which will allow me to graduate high school with my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) license. This will give me invaluable experience and will also be a means to assist with my college education and expenses. My parents have given me so much in my 18 years and I would very much like to help them with the funding of furthering my education in any way that I can.
~~Maisey Wells