Aya Osman, an 18-year-old resident of Orange Park, Florida, overcame cancer and received a scholarship from New York University (NYU) to pursue her dream of becoming a neurologist. As a cancer survivor, Osman received financial assistance from the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation.
She credits her strong academic record and love for science for helping her persevere. Osman graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ridgeview High School in Columbia, South Carolina with 4.7 GPA and was involved in various extracurricular activities, such as Beta Club, Multicultural Club, and the Senior Board.
Osman discovered her lump at the age of 12 and was later diagnosed with cancer. She underwent one round of chemotherapy every three weeks for six months. Despite her challenges, Osman remained resilient and used her love for playing the piano as a distraction during treatment. She also made light of the situation by cracking jokes.
The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation helped Osman through her cancer journey with financial and emotional support. Osman stated in an interview with Action News Jax that she relied on her hobbies to get her through this difficult time. “It was a hard time, but I decided to focus on my mind through focusing on my hobbies,” Osman said.
Osman credits her mother for her educational success during her cancer diagnosis. Her mother brought a laptop to the hospital every day Osman was in chemo to ensure she would not fall behind in school. Osman believes her strong work ethic, focus, and determination are the reasons why she was awarded the NYU scholarship.
Osman started NYU in August and majors in biology. She hopes to become a neurologist one day. “I’ve always been fascinated with the human body and the science surrounding it,” Osman told Action News Jax.
The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation helps families tackle childhood cancer by providing financial, emotional, and practical support. Interested applicants can apply for scholarships through the foundation’s website from January to March.
