I never imagined my professional work would become so deeply personal.
"Why did mom get cancer?" This question haunted me as she battled the disease. But amidst the fear and uncertainty, an unexpected connection still moves me to this day—my mother's treatment included a radiotherapy technique and machine that I helped create.
The statistics are sobering: approximately 40% of Americans (and Canadians) will hear the words "you have cancer" at some point in their lives. According to "Cancer statistics, 2025," the lifetime probability of being diagnosed with invasive cancer in the US is 39.9% for men and 39.0% for women¹– that's four out of every ten people we know.
An interesting statistic is that more than half of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy², meaning roughly one in five North Americans will find themselves staring up at a radiation beam during their lifetime. It is gratifying to think that my work might give hundreds of thousands of cancer patients, each with their own story, a fighting chance—just like my mom.
Cancer doesn't care about statistics. It terrorizes indiscriminately, leaving families forever changed. After three grueling rounds with cancer, Mom is doing remarkably well today. Her strength throughout treatment has transformed my relationship with work. It’s no longer just about solving problems, but about creating lifelines for someone's mother, father, child, or friend.
Sometimes the most meaningful contributions we make come full circle in ways we never expect.
¹ Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Giaquinto AN, Sung H, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025; 75(1): 10-45. doi:10.3322/caac.21871Â
² American Cancer Society. Radiation Therapy Basics. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/basics.html
