Faith Hope and Love Jesus.org

Raising awareness about childhood blood disorders,

cancers, bone marrow donation, and survivorship

 



Faith Hope And Love Jesus, Inc.
P.O. Box 2493
Woodstock, GA 30188

ph: 678-994-2839 'office on the go'
alt: 678-778-0207

info@faithhopeandlovejesus.org

  • Home
  • About UsClick to open the About Us menu
    • Leadership & Impact Statements
    • Meet Our Special Visitors, Partners and Volunteers 2010-2014
    • Meet Our Special Visitors, Partners and Volunteers 2015
    • Meet Our Corporate Sponsors
    • Awards and Honors 2013 & 2014
    • Awards and Honors 2015 & 2016
  • FAQ
  • ServicesClick to open the Services menu
    • Resources
    • Meet My Doctor
    • Medical Advances & Breakthroughs
  • Life CelebrationsClick to open the Life Celebrations menu
    • Life Celebration Slide Show 2017-2022
    • Life Celebration Slide Shows 2013-2016
    • Egleston & Scottish Rite March-November 2011
    • Egleston & Scottish Rite November 2011
    • Egleston & Scottish Rite February - June 2012
    • Egleston & Scottish Rite June 2012
    • Egleston & Scottish Rite September-October 2012
    • Egleston & Scottish Rite October 2012-March 2013
    • Scottish Rite March 2013-June 2013
    • Scottish Rite June 2013-October 2014
    • Joe DiMaggio & Miami Children's August 2012
    • Joe DiMaggio & Miami Children's November 2012 - March 2013
    • Joe DiMaggio and Miami Children's March 2013 - December 2014
    • St. Jude Tri Delta Place 2015-2019
  • College ScholarshipClick to open the College Scholarship menu
    • Meet Our 2012 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2013 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2014 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2015 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2016 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2017 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2018 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2019 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2020 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2021 College Scholarship Essay Winner
    • Meet Our 2022 College Scholarship Essay Winner
  • Be A Bone Marrow DonorClick to open the Be A Bone Marrow Donor menu
    • Be A Bone Marrow Donor Videos
    • Be A Bone Marrow Donor Drive Photos 2012-2013
    • Be A Bone Marrow Donor Drive Photos 2013-2014
    • Be A Bone Marrow Donor Drive Photos 2014
    • Be A Bone Marrow Donor Drive Photos 2015
    • Be A Bone Marrow Donor Drive Photos 2015-2017
  • Childhood Cancer Survivor BLOGClick to open the Childhood Cancer Survivor BLOG menu
    • Inspirational Vitamins
  • FUNdraisersClick to open the FUNdraisers menu
    • FUNdraisers 2011-2013
    • FUNdraisers 2013-2014
    • FUNdraisers 2015-2021
  • Director's CornerClick to open the Director's Corner menu
    • 2012 Director's Corner
    • 2013 Director's Corner
    • 2014 Director's Corner
    • 2015 Director's Corner
    • 2016 Director's Corner
    • 2017 Director's Corner
    • 2018 Director's Corner
    • 2019 Director's Corner
    • 2020 Director's Corner
    • 2021 Director's Corner
    • 2022 Director's Corner

Meet Our 2021 College Scholarship Essay Winner

We are pleased to announce the winner for our 2021 College Scholarship Essay Contest!! And the winner is…BRAULIO HERNANDEZ

  •                           The Winning Essay

      

       In retrospect, overcoming Stage III cancer is the best-worst thing that has ever happened to me.  I took the razor to my head with a chuckle, and started shaving away the hair that would have fallen anyway due to the ongoing chemotherapy.  In the mirror: Lord Voldermort staring back at me (or maybe it was the bald guy from the cleaning product), but I was seriously digging this look!  Honestly, having a watermelon-smooth head is not exactly what I expected in my junior year of high school, but this experience undoubtedly shaped who I am today. 

     

       When I was first diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, I laughed.  Life had run out of creative obstacles to throw my way, so the only leftover choice was "Hmm... let's try cancer."  I was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions and uncertainties, but when I really processed it, I was determined to overcome this illness and let it be a plaque of honor on my wall.  I would have to confront this anyway, so instead of focusing on the negative side, I decided to see the positive learning experiences.

     

       One day in the midst of treatment, I woke up as the luminous light rays were just starting to shine through my window.  The pupils of my eyelash-free eyes adjusted as I sat on the bed and looked out towards the front lawn.  For a few seconds, I saw an eight year old me: running around with his point-and-shoot camera and tiny tripod that he got for Christmas, wanting to retell the story of Godzilla.  I saw a passionate, dedicated, and creative storyteller outside my window: that is exactly who I was.  This epiphany got me on my toes, and made me realize that I had taken for granted all the time I'd previously had to exploit my talents; I had been happy all my life and simply wasn't aware.  From this moment on, cancer was no restriction for me: I felt like a giant with the world in his hands.  I was receiving gut-wrenching medications and writing my next big film production, getting poked on one arm with a neddle and using the other one to edit on my laptop, and facing up at the dull ceiling during long hospital stays, carefully framing the shots with the proper camera lenses, balancing the color palette of the scene, and directing the actors: all in my head.  This unexpected period was a creativity renaissance for me.

     

       Months later the phone rang, creating vast tension for those who heard it on speaker, but it was a relief once Dr. Barredo said "Your scans came back clean, kid.  You're done with treatment!  Now go eat some pizza and celebrate."  That emotional night, I started crafting my comeback and wrote a self-documentary of my journey battling cancer, in hopes of sharing my story with the world and inspiring those who fight the same fight.  I gathered the clips dancing with the nurses, the late night guitar sessions in the hospital, and the reality of being a childhood cancer fighter, never knowing that my story would attract millions of viewers - of which thousands reached out in support.  I partnered with childhood cancer foundations and spoke at events, helped fundraise for research, and even ran a 5k to raise awareness - eight days after finishing treatment - all while reminding myself of how I could use my talents and voice to represent and inspire those who didn't feel theirs was loud enough.

     

       Yes, cancer was the best-worst thing to happen to me.  I look back at the seriouness of the matter and recognize how difficult it was, but it also opened doors for me that I didn't even know existed.  It led me to new paths, to meeting new people and friends, and to appreciate life.  Yet most importantly, it made me understand how passionate I am for what I love doing most: telling stories. 

  • Braulio Hernandez FAQ

     

    1. What school are you attending? 

    I am attending the University of Southern California.

    

    

    2. What is your major?

    My major is Film and Television Production.

    

    3. What plans do you have after you graduate?

    After I graduate I would like to work in the entertainment industry and hopefully tell stories that touch people watching on the other side of the screen. In relation to cancer, I hope to one day bring to light some of the stories I have lived and seen in relation to this illness. 

     

    4.  What are your interests and hobbies?

    My main interests are based around storytelling - including writing, directing, and editing. On the non-career side, I enjoy running and exercising.

     

    5.  Share whatever you would like about who Braulio Hernandez is.

    Most of all - I would like to share my gratitude with Faith Hope and Love Jesus, for this scholarship. After battles like the ones we've been through, it is very inspiring to see this sort of support towards our education. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and will definitely keep doing my part to spread awareness around childhood cancer. Thank you guys!

A Word From Our

Executive Director

     

     And the winner is...Braulio Hernandez!  Congratulations Braulio on your latest achievement!  We could not be more happy for and proud of you! Braulio reminds us that we are a story in progress and that we should tell that story for all to know.  Thank you for sharing your story with us. Here's to the stories you will tell throughout your career. 

     It has been quite a year with the COVID-19 pandemic dragging on. But, LIFE goes on... Our scholarship program is a perfect example of that sentiment. We broke another record with 85 essays!  I am completely humbled and forever grateful by committee members, Chudney Meadows and Amy Foskey who have been standing members since the inception.  We have also been blessed by others who have joined this program throughout the years. We could not provide this resource without them. A profound THANK YOU!!

     To the extraordinary young men and women who inspired our committee with their submissions, my prayer is for your continued good health, much success, a happy life, and many blessings!

                         

                                     ~~Marsha

Meet Our 2021 College Scholarship Essay Winner...Braulio Hernandez

 



Copyright 2010-2022 Faith Hope And Love Jesus, Inc. All rights reserved. Faith Hope and Love Jesus, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible.    

 

 

  

      

                
                   

       
                                

                                            

Faith Hope And Love Jesus, Inc.
P.O. Box 2493
Woodstock, GA 30188

ph: 678-994-2839 'office on the go'
alt: 678-778-0207

info@faithhopeandlovejesus.org