Hearing the news, I became silent.

I did not know whether to congratulate her for her child, or scold her for her careless behavior. I wished it were a joke, but the painful pause that followed indicated my friend, Hang, was serious. I urged her to eat well and rest often for my pregnancy, but I said little else. A letter came two months later, bringing news about Hang and her newborn child. Hang is a mother now, I thought, happy for her, and ignorant of the reality. Hang had given birth to a healthy baby boy. Yet he cried incessantly, because his mother could not comfort him. During childbirth, Hangs blood had coagulated and formed a tumor. In the following weeks, she complained about side pains, but she could not afford a checkup. Hangs mom, in gentle words, explained the cause of her daughters passing, but I felt anger as I read the letter. Hangs tumor should not have burst and metastasized. She should have lived. I replied to the bereaved family and sent what little money I saved, praying it would help. For weeks after the funeral, I imagined how bleak life would be without friends and family. Hangs death, which could have been prevented with early treatment, showed me the importance of being knowledgeable. I became more appreciative of my friends, community, and family after losing Hang because I realized that once I lose them, they are gone forever. To treasure and protect the people in my life, I will continue to study biological sciences, make inquiries, and do research to advance healthcare. At the same time, I plan to study Communication in order to effectively promote public awareness of illnesses and help save people like Hang.