For many freshmen, their first year at college can be stressful or perhaps overwhelming, in a completely new environment. But now-sophomore Emma Cannon had a different first-year experience than most.
Emma grew up in Bloomington and went to school at Bloomington South. There, she participated in activities such as basketball and the school’s dance marathon.
After one of her childhood friends was diagnosed with cancer and went through treatment at the Riley Hospital for Children, Emma had a deep personal connection and passion for her high school dance marathon.
Wanting to continue the same kind of philanthropy, and participate in a program such as IUDM, Emma was drawn to IU.
“Part of the reason I wanted to go to IU was specifically because of IUDM, ” said Cannon.
But during her freshman year, she progressively faced more challenges. Her legs continuously bothered her and caused pain. However, Emma disregarded the pain, assuming it was a normal adjustment to constantly walking around campus.
“I just started noticing my body was hurting…I was having some pretty significant pain in my lower limbs.”
After months of walking on legs that were anything but comfortable, Emma began to see a variety of doctors trying to uncover the issue.
Eventually, in the spring of her freshman year, she was able to see a specialist who discovered a tumor in her calf.
In a matter of moments, Emma had gone from the volunteer to the patient.
“They (doctors) asked me if I had ever heard of Riley before. I was like ‘oh my god, yes of course!…It was kind of a full circle moment”
