No young person expects to go off to college and be diagnosed with cancer.

But it happens. Here in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area we have students being treated for cancer away from their home institutions, and students at our Colleges of the Fenway battling cancer while trying to maintain their academic standing. 

Michele Rosenthal, associate director, Colleges of the Fenway (COF) conceived and initiated the volunteer role of College and Cancer resource for the Dana-Farber Research Institute's Young Adult Program with the support of DFCI Psychosocial Oncology Program's Dr. Karen Fasciano. The Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber (YAD@DFCI.Harvard.edu) is part of an international initiative to recognize and address the unique circumstances related to lifestyle, work, school, family life and emotional development that young adults face when living with cancer. Michele works with young adults diagnosed while in college and those who have completed treatment and seek enrollment. Michele helps patients and their families navigate the higher education landscape which may include taking time off, requesting accommodations, talking with faculty and staff, securing a reduced course load and readmission. 

"Volunteering at DFCI allows me to offer experiences and perspectives that I have gained through various roles that I have held at higher education institutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. While patients at Dana-Farber come from all over the world, I have worked with several who seek enrollment or are current students at one of our Colleges of the Fenway institutions. This convergence can be highly beneficial," she explained. 

"My role with the Colleges of the Fenway consortium provides me with broad access to and deep knowledge of the six COF institutions. Colleagues from the offices of admissions, and student and academic affairs have been wonderful referrals and sources of support for many patients with whom I have worked. One particular is a student who was diagnosed in his senior year while attending college outside of Massachusetts. After treatment he was eager to return, but was concerned about being too far from Dana-Farber. A provost and a department chair at a COF college allowed him to audit several classes, and that was exactly what he needed. He regained his academic confidence and has now returned to his home institution. Two other students who began college outside of Massachusetts are now seeking enrollment at a COF school while they continue treatment at Dana-Farber," she added.

A cancer diagnosis is the last thing that a young adult expects at such a critical and formative time in their life. Michele works hard to do all that she can to help students feel less alone as they navigate and continue their higher education.

"I feel privileged to do this work. When my work at Dana-Farber overlaps with the Colleges of the Fenway it is truly collaboration at its best!"

Michele moderates the College and Cancer blog and provides monthly College and Cancer: Navigating Resources and Possibilities sessions at the Blum Family Resource Center. These sessions are open to students (and their families) who attend any college or university and/or have questions about higher education in general. Michele can be reached here or 617-320-3333