Kwame Thomas
Kwame Thomas is a 24 year old graduate of Benedictine University Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing. Being a college graduate and son who witnessed his mother being a breast cancer survivor is what qualifies him for this scholarship. Here's what he has to say about how breast cancer has changed his life and his journey with breast cancer as a supporter.
At the end of 2023, as the world was preparing for a new year full of hope and resolutions, my world was turned upside down. I had just gotten off the phone with my mom when she shared the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My heart sank, and a of thousand questions flooded my mind. I immediately started researching everything I could about breast cancer, desperate to understand what this meant for her, for myself, and our family. She told me not to worry, and she tried to be strong for me. But of course, I worried because it was a lot for me to process and that conversation changed something in me. I began to appreciate the time I had with her more deeply. I paid attention to the little things such as her laugh, her voice, the way she always knew how to comfort me. I realized that having a mom is a blessing that not everyone gets to keep forever, and I made it my mission to be there for her as much as possible. Thankfully, the doctors caught the lump early. That was the best news I could’ve hoped for. That meant there was a chance to fight this before it spread further.
I watched her go to countless doctor’s appointments, sit through chemo and radiation, and face each day with courage. One of the most unexpected blessings during this time was how it brought me and my little brother closer together. Watching my mother go through this, as a team made our bond stronger than ever, and I’m so grateful we had each other to get through it. But what amazed me most was her spirit. Even when she felt weak, she never let it break her. She faced her treatments with her head held high, and little by little, I saw her get stronger. My mother has always been my greatest motivation, but this experience showed me just how powerful resilience and hope can be. It taught me that even in the darkest moments, there is light. My mom’s journey reminded me that life is fragile, but it’s also beautiful. We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we respond. I truly believe that this gave her a second chance and a renewed purpose to keep living and loving life. As for me and for my little brother I believe it gave us a deeper appreciation for the strong woman we’re blessed to call Mom.