About Isabelle Morin Foundation
About Isabelle Morin Foundation
INSPIRED BY HER PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
The Isabelle Morin Foundation was created by Isabelle Morin, a childhood cancer survivor of almost 16 years, to help support other childhood cancer survivors as they transition from cancer patient to survivor. The foundation is an advocate for survivors in health and wellness, nutrition and education, and also provides awareness of their legal rights
The Beginning
Isabelle Morin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) at the age of 3. At that tender age, she received multiple rounds of high-dose chemotherapy agents, including methotrexate and cytarabine, to treat her cancer and help her endure side effects from her treatment and many challenges in school as a cancer survivor.
Here’s One Thing That Helped
Early detection of side effects is the key to overcoming many of the issues that cancer survivors endure. Parents, doctors and educators must be involved in their transition to survivorship, and should be aware of potential educational problems or health concerns that could arise due to possible side effects that will directly affect survivorship.
Survivors of childhood cancer can develop problems in cognitive areas, academic achievement, memory or attention due to the effects of medical treatments they are subjected to. They can also experience joint pain, anxiety and other health related side effects so, early detection is important to help them thrive and find ways to overcome the unique difficulties that a survivor may encounter. Most survivors can thrive with the combination of a supportive medical and education team, a loving family, and early detection of symptoms.
Many children with these learning impairments require special education services or classroom accommodations in school for the duration of their educational career, even into college
Learning difficulties can surface early or become evident up to two to five years from diagnosis. Typically, problems are noted in mathematics, spatial relationships, memory, problem solving, attention span, processing speed, or concentration skills. These late effects can cause changes in learning style and physical health, as well as social behavior. Parents, doctors and educators need to remain vigilant for potential difficulties that will allow for quick intervention.
Anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD are other side effects that need further research and support for some cancer survivors. It is enormously traumatic for children to be diagnosed with cancer at an early age. Of course, it is a relief for survivors to become cancer free, but we must do better in helping childhood cancer survivors as they transition into a normal life while also facing the challenges that they experience from side effects.
Childhood cancer survivors are also at risk of other side effects such as fatigue, growth delays, dental abnormalities, bone or joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, heart conditions, lung damage or hearing loss. Each survivor could have numerous symptoms or none at all but it is something that should be always in mind. We must provide support to the survivors that need assistance.
The Mission in View
Isabelle has been labeled a survivor since the age of 3 and gone through many challenges of survivorship. She is thankful to be a survivor but recognizes that it is not an easy road and is eager to help others in the future. Improving the lives of childhood cancer survivors is her mission and by creating the Isabelle Morin Foundation we can give childhood survivors a better chance in life as they transition into the world.
Isabelle’s Story