Hi, I am Joshua, a 19-year-old Filipino-Irish student who dreams of becoming a doctor. I was recently accepted into the 7-year Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (APMed) Program at Cebu Doctors’ University – College of Medicine in the Philippines, and I’m about to begin my first year.

Becoming a doctor has been my dream since I was a child. It’s not just a career to me — it’s a calling. I want to help people without hesitation, especially in their most vulnerable moments. This dream is deeply personal because my parents also dreamed of becoming doctors when they were my age. Both of them are pre-med graduates—my father earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, and my mother a Bachelor of Science in Biology. However, due to my parents' financial situation back then, it was impossible for them to reach their dream of becoming doctors.

Despite their struggles, I am lucky and grateful for my parents because they have loved and cared for me and my brother with everything they have. They sacrificed so much to give us a better life than they had, even if it meant putting their own goals and dreams aside. Because they couldn’t reach their dream, I want to fulfill it for them by having me, their son, be a doctor. I want to make all their sacrifices count because I love them more than they could ever know.

Another reason why I want to become a doctor comes from an experience I had when I was 10 years old. I had a severe and excruciatingly painful middle ear infection during a holiday week when limited doctors were available and clinics were closed except for the emergency department. The pain was unbearable, but the emergency room was overcrowded with patients who had more critical cases. We waited six long hours before a doctor could see me. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life—feeling helpless and in pain, not knowing when relief would come.

Then, a miracle happened. A doctor, who was a friend of my mother, answered our call even though he was on vacation. Without hesitation, he rushed to his clinic to help me. Within 30 minutes, he thoroughly examined my ear and said I needed surgery immediately because the infection was severe. That afternoon, he operated on me, and the pain started to fade. I was able to recover fully in just three days, all because of him.

That doctor’s kindness, quick action, and selfless care planted the seed for my passion to become a healer like him. I want to help others in the same way—without hesitation, no matter the circumstances.

Now, my family is facing financial struggles like those my parents faced years ago. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, my family’s income has been greatly reduced due to salary cuts, making it really difficult to meet basic needs, let alone afford medical school tuition. The cost of my education is more than we can bear.

This is why I am asking for your help. Supporting my medical education means more than just paying tuition—it means investing in a future dedicated to saving countless lives and giving hope. It means helping me carry forward a legacy of sacrifice and determination. With your kindness, I can take this next step toward becoming a doctor and changing lives for the better.
If you believe in the power of dreams, the strength of family, and the impact one person can make, please consider supporting me. Every donation, no matter the size, brings me closer to my goal and means the world to me and my family.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your generosity today will help heal many lives tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Joshua