Fifteen-year-old Mikah Dupuis has learned to enjoy the little things in life.
The Grade 10 Connected Learning Community online school student was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia in June 2019 and was told she would need to undergo two-and-a-half years of treatment.
“Having cancer has opened my eyes to a whole new world,” says Dupuis.
“I now have a completely different perspective on life. I have learned to not to take things for granted. I had to grow up fast and I had to adapt to a new life.”
During her treatment, she had two extremely rare side effects: one that left her temporarily paralyzed from the belly button down and brain swelling that caused her to lose the ability to control the muscles in her body.
After overcoming these unimaginable challenges, Dupuis decided she would not only carry on but give back to other sick children by rappelling down the Sheraton Eau Claire Hotel in Calgary and raising an unbelievable $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope event in October.
Dupuis’ teacher Michelle Nychuk nominated her for the Amazing Promise award.
“Mikah continues to set an example as a role model by presenting to schools to empower youth and educate them about the importance of fundraising,” she says.
“She is a passionate and positive young lady who acknowledges and supports other’s needs while going through treatments herself.”