Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
Without the help of these funds, I wouldn’t be at Creighton right now. Words can’t express how grateful I am to still be here. To those who make gifts to this fund, I could never thank you enough.
Missed Giving Tuesday? You can still make a gift here!
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Last December when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, Creighton honors student and then freshman, Ayden Chavez, didn’t hesitate to travel to his Colorado home to be by her side.
“My mother is my rock,” he said. “We have always pushed each other to do our best.”
Chavez enrolled at Creighton with this drive to excel. A neuroscience major on the pre-med track, he is also a certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician with experience working in a memory care unit. During his first year at Creighton, he started a work-study position in the Honors Program Department and researching in the neuroscience lab alongside College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor Gwendolyn King, PhD.
But upon returning home in the fall 2021 to help support his mother, Chavez faced the reality that he might not be able to stay at Creighton.
“Financially, everything just kind of went downhill,” he said. “My mom had also lost her job because of Covid. It was over a month where I didn’t know if I would be able to return to campus. Of course, I was sad.”
Life felt hectic and at times, hopeless — his grandpa had also suffered strokes and was diagnosed with dementia. But Chavez remained resolute.
“Seeing my family go through such difficult times, though challenging, has only shown me how much I want to help others in such an intimate way. I want to be the type of physician that I wish my family had. And if I could go back in time, I’d tell myself that it will work out, because there are people advocating for you.”
When Chavez reached out to Creighton to ask for help, he learned about the donor supported Student Emergency Assistance Fund that aids students who face crises or financial hardships. It was just a couple of days before the spring 2022 semester began when Chavez found out he could return to the University.
“Without the help of these funds, I wouldn’t be at Creighton right now. Words can’t express how grateful I am to still be here. To those who make gifts to this fund, I could never thank you enough."
Now a sophomore, Chavez continues to balance family and school. Outside the classroom, he works in the Occupational and Physical Therapy Department and Honors Program Department. He is still researching in the King lab and is active in the Students for National Health Program, the Pre-Medical Society, the EMS Club, and is a Welcome Week Guide. He is also the counsel treasurer for the Creighton branch of Memories for Kids, which fulfills wishes for the children of parents with terminal cancer.
“I have learned that no matter what you are going through, you can always help someone else. I am so excited to make the most of this amazing opportunity and to stay a part of the Bluejay community.”
Giving Tuesday 2022
On Giving Tuesday, 250 Creighton supporters gave $53,687 to University causes – including the Student Emergency Assistance Fund that benefited Chavez. Other causes supported on this international day of giving included the Student Retention Fund, the Creighton Fund, scholarships, Athletics and more.
Missed Giving Tuesday? You can still make a gift here!
