Specialty selection

Why I want to be a pediatric oncologist

Payal Aggarwal, OMS III, writes about the memorable week that helped convince her that she had found her future calling.

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As a medical student, I often field the question, “What kind of doctor do you want to be?”

I respond, “A pediatric oncologist,” and brace myself for the reaction I always get:

“That sounds so sad!”

I understand why people often respond this way. They haven’t had the experiences that I’ve had—experiences that made me see children who are battling cancer differently.

Camp Happy Days

In rural South Carolina, there’s a beautiful campground made up of tall shade-giving trees surrounding a placid, serene lake. Every year, at the end of June, the campground transforms into Camp Happy Days, a camp for children diagnosed with cancer, in remission from it, and for their siblings.

In 2014, I was a counselor at the camp and worked with boys between the ages of 4 and 6. Before my three campers arrived, I received cards with their pictures, names, birthdays and medications. One of my campers was receiving treatment, the other had a sibling diagnosed with cancer, and the third was in remission from it. These boys really needed a break, and I would make sure they got that and had a memorable fun-filled week.

We spent the next seven days painting derby cars, dyeing T-shirts, swimming in the lake and eating dessert for breakfast. In anticipation for the campwide prom event at the end of the week, the campers secretly passed notes to their camp crushes and not-so-secretly professed their love for one another during camp activities. I remember Cooper, a 6-year-old camper, holding the door open for 4-year-old Emma and asking her to go to prom with him. Emma blushed, giggled and wholeheartedly accepted. This moment is one of my sweetest memories of camp.

Children first, patients second

At camp, I also met some of the bravest people I’ve ever known. One of my campers told me about his chemotherapy and all the tubes he had attached to his body when he was just 3 years old. A teenage camper told me that he wanted to make the most of the camp prom because he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to attend his own high school prom. Another camper challenged herself to rock climb even though osteosarcoma had left her leg paralyzed.

Camp Happy Days’ campers saw cancer very closely, but overall, they refused to let the disease dictate their lives. Most kids in the pediatric oncology wing learn early that life is full of hardships, and they gain the courage to face and deal with challenges. The lesson I learned from the campers is that most people can choose whether they want to define their lives by the hardships they encounter or by their blessings and the things that bring them joy. I also learned to see the campers as children first and patients second. They were much more than their diagnoses.

After camp, I shadowed a pediatric oncologist in India, which further reinforced my notion that this specialty is my calling. But when I respond to people who think pediatric oncology is sad, it’s usually my experience at Camp Happy Days that I talk about. I say that I’d be honored to dedicate my career to serving kids like these.

6 comments

  1. Melanie Hardy

    What a beautiful article. It melted my heart to know that you have such a special memory of Cooper. I have no doubt that he will have some of his best memories of childhood will be from Camp Happy Days, its such an amazing place, because of people like you. I am so proud that you are committed to Pediatric Oncology, because you are going to change the life of so many families. The road will be a little easier for the kids having a doctor who is as special as you. You have a gift, go change the world :)
    All the best,
    Melanie Hardy (Cooper’s mom)

  2. Lawrence Hochman DO FACRO

    During my training as a radiation oncologist I worked a total of about a year on a very busy pediatric service with a world renowned physician that was dual boarded in Pediatric Oncology as well as Radiation Oncology. I got to know Dr. Poplack (Pizzo/Poplack pediatric oncology textbook) well also. We actively treated several children daily in our department and participated in Ped Onc grand rounds as well as the Ped Onc clinic. It’s a unique experience and one that is hard to forget. Ped Onc sounds far from the primary care direction that Osteopathic students often choose, but it really isn’t. Like pediatrics, patient care centers not only around the child, but also the whole family. With an Osteopathic background I am sure that Dr. Aggarwal will bring much to the table. It’s gratifying to see that young Osteopathic students take the opportunity to look at some of these under represented specialties in our profession and I wish her the absolute best in her pursuit of her career.

  3. Anjli D.

    Awesome article Payal! These kids need someone like you caring for them and treating them..making them stronger and braver! Keep it up! :)

  4. Makaelah Stacy

    That’s an amazing article! I am only 16 and at the age of 12, knew that i wanted to work in the Pediatric Oncology feiled. Its amzing how children dont give up even if sometimes they want to. This article , convinsed me even more why Pediatric Oncology is such an amazing are to work in. Thank You!!

  5. Luciarita Boccuzzi

    Good afternoon!

    I am applying to both MD and DO schools now for 2021 and I too would like to become a pediatric oncologist. I wanted some guidance. Is there any way I could get in touch with you?

  6. Abby F.

    Awesome article! I am 12, yes I know very young but I’ve wanted to be a Prediatric Oncologist since the age of 9. I’m starting to research more and more about the field, and I happen to see your article, this showed me more on why I should be a Preddiatric Oncologist. Agian awesome article :)!

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