A Story I'll Never Forget

Over the past two years, Troy Dermatology Club has accomplished more than I ever imagined. From hosting our very first booth at Club Rush to organizing fundraisers and serving underserved communities, every experience has reinforced why we founded this club. However, one encounter from just a few weeks ago stands out more than any other.

After hosting a fundraiser, we were fortunate enough to raise nearly $220 thanks to the generosity of our family, friends, and local community. The next question was simple: Who could benefit the most from these funds? We had previously donated skincare and hygiene products to unhoused individuals and even assembled sunscreen kits for our school's construction workers, but we had not yet had the opportunity to support cancer patients.

After searching for organizations whose missions aligned with ours, I came across Kits to Heart. Founded by cancer survivor Sonia Su, Kits to Heart provides thoughtfully assembled care kits to individuals undergoing cancer treatment. After learning about her story and why she created the organization, I immediately knew this was the community we wanted to support. Rather than simply donating products, I felt we had the opportunity to remind patients that they were not alone during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Using the fundraiser proceeds, I purchased more than 140 skincare and personal care products that would later be donated to Kits to Heart. While checking out at my local grocery store, I found myself with a shopping cart overflowing with items. The cashier smiled and jokingly commented that she had quite a few products to scan. As we talked, she asked what all of the items were for, and I explained that they were being donated to cancer patients through Kits to Heart.

Her expression immediately changed.

She shared that she was a cancer survivor herself and had undergone multiple bone marrow transplants during her treatment. She told me something that has stayed with me ever since: "Cancer patients have medicine, but they also need support like this to keep them going."

In that moment, the donation became much more personal. What had started as a fundraiser for skincare products suddenly became a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a much greater impact than we often realize. Hearing her story confirmed that we had chosen the right community to support, and it reminded me that something as simple as a care package can provide comfort, encouragement, and hope during an incredibly challenging time.

Experiences like this are exactly why Troy Dermatology Club exists. Our mission has never been limited to teaching students about skincare. Instead, we hope to use skin health as a way to serve others, whether that means educating our peers, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, helping cancer patients, or finding new ways to give back to communities in need.

Looking ahead, I hope this is only the beginning. There are countless underserved communities that deserve care, compassion, and support. No matter how large or small a marginalized community may be, every person deserves to know that someone is thinking about them. I am incredibly grateful that our club has the opportunity to make even a small difference, and I cannot wait to see where our next outreach project takes us.