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College and Cancer: When Big Life Events Collide

Web Exclusives

“Being a college student is difficult enough. Adding cancer to the mix only makes things harder,” said Samantha Eisenstein Watson, who was diagnosed with cancer while she was a student at Brandeis University, in Boston, first with Ewing’s sarcoma and 2 years later with secondary myelodysplastic syndrome.

Samantha found help in the form of Michele Rosenthal for navigating college and cancer. “Michele was the dean who helped me with the paperwork when I needed to withdraw, and helped me reintegrate (both on a practical level and a personal one) when I returned a year later,” Samantha said.

Michele Rosenthal is an educational consultant who has helped countless young adults with cancer identify appropriate on-campus resources and develop realistic plans for their unique circumstances.

Michele helps young adults who are diagnosed with cancer while they’re in college or when they’re applying to college after cancer treatment. “This is not a circumstance they ever expected to be in. I do my best to help them navigate the higher education landscape,” she said.

Samantha was grateful for Michele’s guidance. “When I returned to school as a 22-year-old cancer survivor, I looked and felt different from everyone around me. I couldn’t find a place for myself,” Samantha shared. “Michele was empathetic, efficient, and knowledgeable. She took the administrative burden off my plate, so that I could focus on my illness and treatment.”

“I have no doubt that my entire academic and professional trajectory would have looked a lot different without her,” Samantha said.

Her experience impacted her professionally. Finding a void in support services for young adults with cancer, Samantha founded The SAMFund “to aid in the financial recovery from cancer.”

This came as no surprise to Michele. “Some students come to me with minor concerns and ask for exceptions. Then a student like Sam comes in, motivated to move forward,” she said, “And because of her experience, she developed a vision and made The SAMFund happen.”

For some students, things don’t change much, but an intense treatment plan can mean time away from school. Other students may need a reduced course load, help with transportation, and other accommodations. They may experience changes in social relationships and have roommate considerations. Most will deal with fears and anxiety.

In spite of these difficulties, Michele says, “Young adults are amazing. In my experience, they really want to move forward and live life productively. They want to finish the semester. They want to keep things as normal as possible.”

Your Support Network

According to Michele, if you are a student affected by cancer, you first need to find a network of supporters that includes not only your family and friends, but also advocates on campus. Campuses have different resources and support structures, including:

  • The Director of Disabilities Services and Support
  • The Director of Health Services
  • The Dean of Students
  • Your class dean or academic advisor
  • Your favorite professor
  • The Office of Student Services

These titles may vary among schools, but the services are universally available in some form.

The Disabilities Services and Support office can secure the accommodations you may need, such as support for transportation from class to class, or extended time for exams. You should contact this office first, as medical documentation will be required, and disability accommodations cannot be granted retroactively, Michele says.

Your class dean or academic advisor is also very important, as this person will have the primary responsibility for your academic progress. Consult this individual if you have questions about a medical leave or a reduced course load.

Because of the “unexpected circumstance” of your cancer diagnosis, you may be allowed to take exams at another time and venue; you can obtain permission to do so through the dean, your advisor, or your professor.

“The positive aspect to cutting down on your academic load is that you can still be in class, interact with your peers, partake in campus activities, make progress toward your degree, and engage in necessary treatments. It will also give you time to rest and ensure that you are absolutely taking care of yourself at every turn!” Michele said.

While a support network and the right academic plan are critical, she reminds students, “You are your own best advocates, and you should be proactive to ensure that everything is moving forward to support your academic progress and next steps.”

Patient Resources

The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors with Cancer
www.thesamfund.org/

Stupid Cancer
https://stupidcancer.org/about/who-we-are/

Cancer.Net
www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/young-adults

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