Update on our Survivor Scholars
Fall semester is well underway for students across the country, including our 2019 college scholarship recipients Isha and Amelia. As Children’s Cancer Cause scholars, these inspiring young people have committed to undertaking advocacy projects to benefit other childhood cancer survivors. We’re excited to bring you this update on their chosen projects:
Amelia, diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during her freshman year at William & Mary, is now in her first year of graduate studies at George Washington University. As she works toward a Masters of Public Health, she plans to create a new student organization that will serve as a support group for students managing late effects of childhood diseases like cancer or suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes. Amelia’s organization will also serve as an advocacy network that works to tackle policies around medical leave, student accessibility, and student health resources — finding solutions to the same problems that plagued her as a patient and student.
“Along with support and advocacy, there would also be the opportunity for education, both for members and the community,” says Amelia. She envisions bringing in guest speakers to address prevention and survivorship, hosting educational events for the whole campus community, and working to foster collaboration and resource-sharing. Suffolk News-Herald Profile of Amelia →
“This project is important to me because I have nothing like this in my life now,” says Amelia, describing the challenges of transitioning from pediatric to adult care. “It is difficult to heal in isolation and it is essential that we meet the growing needs of young survivors. We need to expand our resources to help the growing number of childhood cancer survivors thrive as they move into adult lives.”
Just a few weeks into the fall semester, Amelia’s taken the first steps toward forming her “Survivors and Thrivers” group by working with the Office of Student Engagement and beginning recruitment of members. If you know someone at GWU who would be a good fit for Amelia’s organization, send us a note at info@childrenscause.org and we’ll be glad to put you in touch with Amelia.
Our other 2019 scholar Isha was diagnosed with leukemia in middle school and is now studying biology at the University of Virginia. Her advocacy project is focused on combating the social isolation so commonly faced by pre-teens and teens. To this end, she’s launched the Childhood Cancer Companion Program (CCCP), a new online community. Visit the CCCP Website →
The Childhood Cancer Companion Program is designed to “give kids a sense of comfort during a difficult time,” writes Isha. “Children with cancer often feel a sense of loneliness following their diagnosis. Cancer takes a toll not only on a child’s physical health, but also their mental and emotional state of well-being. While friends and family are an invaluable resource, sometimes what a child needs is someone who has been through the same things they have and can empathize. The CCCP creates a community of childhood cancer patients and survivors who are all in it together.”
To start, Isha is accepting applicants for a mentorship program aimed at connecting middle school and high school cancer patients and survivors with adult survivors of childhood cancer, ideally aiming to match people with similar occupational interests. If you’re interested in joining Isha’s program either as a mentor or mentee, fill out the Google Form on the CCCP website.
“While having a friend is a great thing, sometimes what you need is an adult who has already experienced what you’re going through and can offer advice,” explains Isha. “The program is intended to last for the long-term. If you start off as a cancer patient in the program, you can come back in the future as a mentor.”