Home / Health / Survivor Finds Purpose in Cooking and Helping Others
Survivor Finds Purpose in Cooking and Helping Others
30 Sep
Summary
- A blood cancer survivor discovered a passion for cooking during treatment.
- He founded a nonprofit to aid young adults after cancer therapy.
- The survivor is now pursuing a medical career to help others.
During his freshman year at Oxford College of Emory University in 2022, Owen Abeles was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma. While undergoing chemotherapy and quarantined, he discovered a passion for cooking, which became a meditative and stress-relieving activity.
Abeles remained in Covington to continue his studies while receiving treatment. Now in remission for three and a half years and pursuing a master's in bioethics at Emory University, he is channeling his experiences into his nonprofit, The Cairn Project. This organization aims to help emerging adult cancer patients establish identity and balance outside of medical treatment.
Motivated by the support he received from his professors and care team, Abeles is applying to medical school. He stated that this support enabled him to continue his education and extracurricular activities, shaping him into the person he is today. He plans to launch programming for The Cairn Project by the end of the current semester.
