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Sonia Su, founder of Kits to Heart

Cancer Diagnosis Redefines Life Work for Graduate Student

As a 24-year-old graduate student attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Sonia Su had a bright future ahead of her. Busy and focused on her studies upon starting her first semester, she didn’t think much of the mild chest pain she was experiencing. She felt fine otherwise, so she continued focusing on her coursework.

It wasn’t until the start of her second semester that she finally had time to look deeper into the pain she was still having. After an x-ray, CT scan, and biopsy, she had a diagnosis— Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Her entire world shifted as treatment began for the aggressive cancer.

“Once I knew that I had to go through intensive treatments, I had to move back in with my parents,” Sonia said. “They ended up being my main caregivers. I literally had to go back to my childhood.”

No strangers to hardship, Sonia’s parents immigrated from China before Sonia was born. As they had done decades earlier during their journey to the United States, they went into survival mode to help their daughter through treatment.

“Everything happened so quickly. It wasn’t really possible to pause, reflect, and emotionally process it all,” Sonia recalled. “We just had to do what we could to literally survive. The processing didn’t happen for me until after everything was over.”

It was about a year from Sonia’s diagnosis to her final treatment. Although cancer impacted her studies, the school was very accommodating, and Sonia graduated as planned. But cancer had shifted her entire perspective— including her graduate work. One moment in particular would redefine her next chapter.

“I was walking to my hospital room for my final treatment. I was feeling very dejected and not very hopeful, to be honest,” Sonia said. “But when I walked into that hospital room, I saw a care package that was left on my bed. It was a from a former patient who was doing well. A complete stranger had put thought and care into bringing some hope to another patient—it really motivated me to keep going.”

At that moment, Sonia told herself that she would pay that kindness and inspiration back when she healed. She added entrepreneurship classes to her course load and through that education, received funding to start Kits to Heart.

A nonprofit whose mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time, Sonia and her team of volunteers work tirelessly to provide thoughtfully designed, curated cancer kits to hospitals and cancer centers.

Not only does Sonia aim to bring joy in difficult times, she also wants to educate those on a health journey about the helpful resources available to them—including CaringBridge.

“I think it’s a fantastic way for people to share their story. They don’t have to update each and every person or share it so publicly on Facebook or Instagram, where people might not want to see it,” said Sonia. “It’s great to keep people updated and at the same time, raise funds and get other support, whether it’s with food or transportation, that they may not otherwise be able to get.”

While Sonia was fortunate to have her parents as full-time caregivers, she recognizes the help CaringBridge provides for those who don’t have that support.

“It’s just so much when you have to go through these treatments,” she said. “It’s not just the appointments. It’s having to pick up medication or having to get food. It’s so much logistically and you realize there are a lot of things you might not be able to do yourself anymore. You’re going to need that community of support.”

Sonia didn’t have a CaringBridge during her health journey, but only because she didn’t know the resource was available to her.

“It’s something I wish I would have known about while I was going through [cancer treatments], rather than trying to process everything and deal with it myself,” Sonia said. “It’s always better to inform your loved ones about what’s going on so you can feel more connected. It helps you know you’re not alone in this.”

It’s Sonia’s life work to ensure those going through a cancer journey know that they’re not alone —and that includes putting a CaringBridge brochure in every single one of her curated kits.

Her goal with Kits to Heart is to expand to as many hospitals in the United States as possible. The organization recently started an art therapy program in addition to the kits, and she hopes to grow that as well.

“In a way, it’s healing for me to do it,” Sonia shared. “It gives me joy to give joy. It’s not all doom and gloom. There is honestly a lot of hope nowadays, especially with the advances in medicine. I just want to make sure people know others have been in their shoes, and that there are ways to connect, and to be hopeful. It’s a process and a journey.”

While no one ever wants to find themselves on a cancer journey, the world is a better place with Sonia Su in it, helping others find their way and shining a light on the path when it matters most.