Zack's story began with a phone call confirming his melanoma diagnosis on his twenty-first birthday, June 4th, 2019. The diagnosis overturned his expectations and led to uncertainty about his future and a new reality of travel and cancer treatments. Living in southeast Kansas, Zack confronted the harsh reality that his treatment would require traversing over 1,000 miles to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
As Zack grappled with the news, he began the relentless toll of travel on himself and his family. Despite the challenges, Zack's resolved to confront his diagnosis head-on. Balancing his college studies with the demands of cancer treatment, Zack found a renewed sense of purpose in his aspirations to pursue a medical career.
The burden of Zack's diagnosis impacted his family and friends, weighing heavily on his parents as they navigated the complexities of accessing specialized care in their rural community. Their struggle to find timely and accessible treatment options underscored the disparities in healthcare resources between rural and urban areas.
Reflecting on his experience, Zack recognized the urgent need to bridge the gap in healthcare access for rural communities. Determined to make a difference, he committed himself to advocating for improved resources and support for rural cancer patients. With the hope that one day, the barriers to care will be dismantled, Zack envisions a future where every individual, regardless of their geographic location, has equitable access to life-saving treatments.
As Zack continues his medical education, he is driven by a vision of a future where the fight against cancer is not compounded by where one lives. With each step forward, he hopes that his journey will contribute to a future where no one faces the uphill battle of cancer alone, regardless of where they call home.
