“My Uncle Travis” by Raquel Nelson

I thought I was saying goodbye forever. Tubes, machines, and panic surrounded Uncle T.’s hospital bed all because of a silent killer hiding in our bloodline.

My Uncle Travis had always been there for us. He was there for my mom when she found out she would be a single parent, with me still in the womb, providing a roof over our heads until we got on our feet. He was there when life got hard, when money wasn’t there, and when no one else showed up. He was also there for the community as a Registered Nurse providing care and sacrifice for patients who weren't even sure if they’d make it back home to their families.

What my 8 year old self didn’t know that day, was that he was about to become one of those patients.

Here we were, my mom in tears, me filled with fear and confusion, and him on the brink of life in the hospital bed with that bright white hospital light shining in his eyes. It was the clots. The blood clots in his leg that were about to take another member of our family. My family. As I got in that hospital bed to give my Uncle T. maybe one of the last hugs I’d ever give him, I felt hot, burning tears in my eyes.

Growing up, I thought the scariest part was almost losing him. But now that fear has been replaced with admiration of how he turned that experience into purpose. My Uncle Travis has made a huge impact not only on my life, but on the lives of so many others. After working as a nurse, he became an Oregon State Representative and used his experience to fight for better conditions in healthcare. He created laws such as House Bill 2697, which created nurse to patient ratios and staffing committees, making Oregon the first state to put these protections into law (Oregon Legislative Information System, n.d.). As well as House Bill 2748, which stops non human forms like artificial intelligence from using nursing titles, keeping healthcare safe and ethical (2025 Regular Session, HB 2748). He also championed Senate Bill 537 which set new rules to prevent workplace violence in healthcare facilities (Oregon Nurses Association, 2025).

These laws have protected nurses and patients, showing how much his work impacts more than just our family. I’ve realized, he’s not just my uncle anymore. He’s Representative Travis Nelson. And he’s never forgotten what it felt like to be lying in that hospital bed not knowing if he’d make it out alive or not.

His journey is what led me to earning my Certified Nursing Assistant certification in high school and am on my way to becoming a Nurse Practitioner to achieve my passion of helping others suffering in times of chronic illness like the one we faced.

He’s also the reason I’ve pushed myself to become a leader and speak up for others. As the Executive President of Henrietta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School and a Clark County Youth Commissioner working with local councilors on improving youth mental health, preparing youth for adulthood, and reducing youth homelessness, I’ve seen how hard it is for students to focus on school or college when they’re stressed about life outside the classroom. That’s why I’ve worked to support their mental health and opportunity.

One of the biggest ways I’ve used my voice was testifying before the Washington State Legislature in support of House Bill 1835 which helps more students access financial aid and reduces the barriers that make college seem an impossibility. After it was passed into law it reminded me that sharing your story can help change difficult systems. I testified for this bill because I know how stressful it is for students from low income families to even think about college. This bill helps reduce that stress by expanding access to financial aid, and for me it meant that students like myself would have a real shot at pursuing higher education.

Growing up in a single parent household, I’ve learned how to be strong and resourceful, which wasn't always easy, but still, it pushed me to care and advocate for others and want to help however I can.

Uncle T. showed me how serious chronic illness can be and how much it affects the people we love. This is what made me want to go into a career that focuses on helping youth with chronic illnesses and supporting their mental health. I don’t want others to feel alone or powerless the way we did in that hospital room years ago. I want to be someone who helps people feel seen, supported, and strong enough to keep going.