Lauren Kelly

What does it mean to survive? Is it facing your greatest fear? Overcoming insurmountable obstacles? Or, fighting for your life, when your life has just begun? For me, it's the latter, and here is my story.

I was born 28 weeks’ premature, weighing slightly over two pounds. I came into this world a fighter. Instantly faced with numerous complications; meningitis, a closed patent ductus arteriosus (PDA valve), e-coli, and pneumonia, I was given a 5% chance of survival. Even though the odds were against me, that did not stop my doctors and parents from fighting for me. My parents were right by my side, from heart surgery seven days after birth, to waiting two and a half months before bringing me home. My parents traded shifts every single day in order to see me and that unwavering support has been there ever since.

From birth, I fought to survive and to make an impact in this world. I plan to take that same fight and passion to achieve my ultimate goal of being a Neonatologist. I am dedicating my four years of college to make sure I achieve my goal. I want to provide care for babies that come from all types of backgrounds, and babies that like me are fighting to survive. I believe I made it in life to pay it forward to help other babies do the same.