It all started in Fall 2016.

I was a doe-eyed, innocent freshman going to a Big 10 university with 50,000 students who had no idea who I was. It was a time of starting fresh; a turning of a new leaf. I went to Sparticipation, as all freshmen do, in hopes of finding my place among the sea of people. Table after table, row after row - nothing interested me. It ended up being a huge waste of my day, but I then realized, what about Love Your Melon?

For those who don't know, Love Your Melon is an organization that makes beanies, apparel, and other items, and they give 50% of every sale towards pediatric cancer research. They also ensure that every kid going through treatment receives a beanie of their own.

College kids that are ambassadors are part of crews. The crews are responsible for the promotion of the brand, taking children on therapeutic treatment adventures, visiting patients in the hospital, and other acts of community service. Although it started off as a business project in 2012, the company has made great strides. They donated $1 million to their nonprofit research partners this year alone.

I joined Love Your Melon because I had a childhood friend get diagnosed with leukemia in middle school, and I saw how hard treatment was on her as well as her family. She is now cancer-free luckily, but the after-effects of chemotherapy still haunt her physical health.

This inspired me to get involved by helping put a smile on kids' faces that are going through the same thing. It took a lot of courage to contact the Michigan State crew captain and go to the first meeting, but I fell in love right away.

Ever since joining MSU LYM Crew and becoming a crew member, I couldn't be more happy to reach out to the community and help kids that are battling cancer. Within a year, I've been able to participate in multiple events. Love Your Melon Day, bone marrow drives, a dance marathon, a Detroit Pistons game, as well as a hospital visit.

I also update everyone I know about the latest and greatest releases Love Your Melon has to offer since Love Your Melon is only online for now.

When I attended the hospital visit this past spring, it changed my perspective. All the problems that I was complaining about seemed so trivial. Stressing about college and graduate school was so little compared to what these kids and their families were going through. It made me thankful that I am healthy, happy and living a normal life. It inspired me that the children that I encountered weren't down in the dumps about being in the hospital.

They were positive, hopeful, and playing like they would be at home.

Being a crew member has taught me many lessons. Be grateful for what you have - you don't know what you have until it's gone. Time is precious, so make every moment count. When in doubt, be kind because it can the cause of change in the world.

All it takes is one person to make a difference. The world doesn't revolve around you, and there's someone out there that appreciates you. You do have an effect on others, whether you know it or not.

I've also gotten to know some of the most amazing people by joining Love Your Melon. My fellow crew members are innovative, selfless, and considerate. It's such a great feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself and to find other people that are fighting for the same cause.

Cancer doesn't discriminate. We've all been touched by cancer in some way or another; whether it be yourself, a family member, or a friend.

Love Your Melon has given me the opportunity to grow as a person. I've grown in maturity and my communication skills have strengthened immensely. Promotional events force you to speak up and come out of your shell.

They help you voice the issue that is childhood cancer. Also spreading the word on social media constantly is such a rush because people can be informed about Love Your Melon through posts, and buy products themselves. Then, it spreads like a wildfire.

I don't regret joining Love Your Melon as an ambassador. I hope one day there is a cure to all cancer. Join Love Your Melon on your college campus, or support the cause by buying products, because you won't regret it!