Music is Saving Lives

Jessica from Music Saves Lives, Guest Blogs

I’m Jessica Smith, and I am a leukemia survivor. On September 15, 2001, when I was 13, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I was fortunate enough that three years of chemo-therapy put me into remission, I finished treatment when I was 16, and I’m less than a year away from being cured. As a result of the treatment, I have a bone degenerative disease called Avascular Necrosis, and have had numerous surgeries in hopes to correct the damage caused by it. I am in good health, and definitely take full advantage of life.
When I was diagnosed I was convinced that the doctors had changed my life in one sentence, I told myself that nothing would ever be the same. I was right, my experiences changed me in so many ways, I had to grow up fast, I learned what a precious gift life is, I became strong, fearless and was given a need to continue the battle even after I finished chemo. Throughout my treatment, I got to experience how many people devote their lives to battling cancer, to working on either raising awareness or money to find a cure (or even make my battle a little easier). I was touched at how much people give of themselves for this cause, and I have been inspired to want to do the same.

I am an Elementary Education major, I plan on being a Child Life Specialist when I graduate, and I work for Music Saves Lives. I saw the DKMS and Music Saves Lives booth at the Vans Warped Tour last year, and every time I’d walk by it I would wonder what it was. When I went online the next day to find out what it was all about, I realized right then and there that this was what I had to do with my life. I had to give back, pay back all of the amazing things that people did for me. I was determined that I had to work for this company, so I sent out an email with my story, and a resume, a week later I was surprised and excited to find out that I had an interview set up.

I love my job, I talk to people everyday about two things that I am passionate about, music and the fight against cancer. I get to travel around, see new places, meet new people and at the same time spread the word about the importance of both the donating blood and being on the bone marrow registry. I couldn’t ask for a better job, and I’ll be around this summer at different concerts talking to and registering kids, as marrow donors for DKMS, around the country.

Technorati Profile