Motivation letter for PhD application

I have been applying to PhD programs for almost one year now. But some how I am unable to impress professors. After reading lot of discussions in the forum, I edited my motivation letter.
Please take time to read my motivation letter and provide your valuable suggestions.
Everything that I have written here is true and I have not lied to create impression or sympathy.

XXX University
month Date, Year

Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am applying to your International PhD program in "Cancer Immunology" starting in September 2016.
This statement is an attempt to show my interest in the doctoral program, my competency as an aspiring researcher, my achievements in research and my ambitions.
Your institute’s unique involvement in cancer biology, aiming at answering the questions posed by cancer, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches, its credibility and position in the market as well as vision of the management have prompted me to apply in your institution.
I believe I am a suitable candidate for a PhD program in your institute. I have the necessary skills, zeal to learn and a never ending thrust for knowledge. Being a dedicated hard worker and a smart worker, I am certain that I will be able to cope with the rigors of an International curriculum with ease. My discipline and determination to succeed and do well will enable me to be among the students of your institution. I would be grateful if I am given the opportunity to do Doctoral program. I am confident that this exposure will help me to gain a lot of knowledge and provide a better shape to my career.
My motivation of studies has something to do with my Father. I lost my Father when I was 12 years old and I began earning for my family and my education by part time jobs. I completed all my schooling and college from the earnings from my part time jobs. My goal was to get better education which will give better life for my family.
Having a keen interest in Biology, I opted for Bachelor’s of Sciences with Zoology, Botany and Chemistry as major subjects from Gulbarga University, India. My undergraduate course aimed at laying strong foundations to various fields of life-science and chemical-sciences. I aspired to be a biologist, and having strong basics in biology and chemistry I choose masters in Biochemistry for my graduation. I was good at academics and secured 73.4% in undergraduate and I was in top 3 with 68.6 % score in my masters.
Getting education while earning for my family, was the toughest time of my life. These experiences made me go through hardship of life and made me learn from failures, to be focused, to be strong and never let go your dreams.
I started my career as research assistant at Natural remedies Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore, India. Here I developed skills in biochemical assays and pharmacokinetics for screening of herbal extracts in Diabetes, Erectile dysfunction and metabolic disorders. I have co-authored research papers in well-known peer reviewed journals.
I was happy working at Natural remedies in the Diabetes and Erectile dysfunction research, until something unexpected happened in my life, which changed my career goals.
During those days one of my dearest relatives was diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Her last words for me were “I DON'T HAVE ANY BAD HABITS, CANCER IS NOT FOUND IN MY FAMILY HISTORY, NEITHER HAVE I DONE ANY WRONG DOING, THEN WHY ME". I was left dumb and I knew neither mine nor the Doctor’s words or action could cure them. There I saw many patients in that ward suffering the pain and since then and I have seen few of my dear and near ones succumb to this deadly disease. After that day I decided to make career in cancer biology, I left Natural remedies and joined BBRC (Bristol Mayers Squibbs Research Center) in Syngene international Ltd, India, working and developing my skills in cancer biology. Since then Cancer has been a passion for me. At BBRC, under the guidance of Dr. Bhadresh Rami, I learnt the basic and advanced skills in cancer drug discovery (Wnt signaling inhibition) like cell proliferation assays, colony formation, pharmacodynamic assays, drug mechanism of action in cell based and biochemical assay. I carried this experience to GVK bioscience Pvt. Ltd, India to further gain vast experience in cancer biology and Cancer immunology projects.
Presently I am working on projects related to cancer and cancer immunology pathways like IDO/TDO, AKT, IRAK (TLR), WNT, PI3K, and TRKA.
I received “R & D Star award” from Bristol Mayers Squibbs for development of Novel ELISA in WnT signaling and “Outstanding achiever award” from GVK biosciences for drug combination studies in cancer biology for our clients Glakso Smith Kline (US) and Onconova (US).
My main strengths are confidence, uncompromised dedication towards my work, willing to go extra mile to achieve my goals, respect for time, always willing to learn and test new things in experiments, a very good team player, work under pressure and deliver results on time, take scientific criticism positively and work towards it, producing reproducible and consistent quality data.
My scientific and technical strengths are In-vitro biochemical and cell based assays development, Western blotting, troubleshooting assays, literature search and data mining, data analysis and interpretation.
I have confirmed my desire to become a researcher in the field of cancer biology. A PhD degree will bring a better learning and understanding of the causes and effects of the disease, which along with my previous experience and knowledge I believe that I can make significant contribution in cancer research and hence make difference in the life of the sufferers. As I have stated earlier I plan is do doctoral research program at your university in the area of cancer. After receiving education at your university I will root myself in cancer research hoping to unearth the answers to many questions posed by cancers.
I am confident that this exposure will help me to gain a lot of knowledge and provide a better shape to my career.
Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to your acceptance.

Sincerely,
Manoj Kumar Pandre