identify as a white female, childhood and young adult cancer survivor, advocate, friend, and nature lover.
Kirsten (she/her) is enthusiastic, thoughtful, and loyal. She is a childhood and young adult cancer survivor, having had cancer three times before the age of 30.
Being diagnosed first in 1998 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, she underwent three years of chemotherapy and was in remission.
In 2002, one year after the competition of her treatment, she relapsed. This time treatment included three years of chemotherapy along with eight days of radiation. She was 18 years old when treatment was finally finished.
In 2016, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (oral cancer) of unknown origin as there was no risk factors to contribute to the diagnosis. This diagnosis required surgery and five years of follow-up.
At the current time, she is being monitored by her pediatric oncology aftercare clinic, which helps to look out for long-term effects of my childhood cancer.
Kirsten joined YACC in 2015 and has participated in Survivor Conferences since 2018, Retreat Yourself, Localife events, and Primetown.
As both a pediatric and AYA survivor Kirsten feels she has great advocacy skills and a powerful story to inspire others.
Diagnosis: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, squamous cell carcinoma
Age at diagnosis: 10, 14, and 26
Location: ON
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