Adina Isenberg first came to Columbia University in 2003 to study Strategic Communication. 18 years later, her graduation is finally on the horizon, after a long, difficult, and inspiring journey.
On September 11, 2017 I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40. Having lived in New York during the 2001 terror attacks, that date was already traumatic for me.
Luckily, that shocking diagnosis led to some unexpected benefits in my life.
First and foremost, I am alive. In a few months I will celebrate my 44th birthday; which is something I do not take for granted.
Second, I have been able to see who has been there for me. My husband Michael, and our twin sons, have stepped up for me over and over again. Our friends in New York took us in (I was living in Toronto) and gave us a home during that phase of my treatment.
Third, because of the effects of the treatment, I was forced to make major lifestyle changes. The upside of which, is that I had more free time. Which leads me to fourth…
I have been able to devote more of my energies to philanthropy.
Luckily, that shocking diagnosis led to some unexpected benefits in my life.
To give back, I began volunteering for my medical oncologist, Dr. Eitan Amir, at the breast clinic. Moreover, we started a fund at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to help improve patient care.
To support this fund, we have organized a number of fundraising initiatives. For example, we hosted an Oscar de la Renta fashion show in our home (a first for the company, globally).
More recently, we had planned a golf tournament with an emphasis on the financial markets. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans and we had to cancel the event.
Meanwhile, to replace my in-hospital volunteerism which was postponed by the pandemic, I decided to call Columbia University to see if I could finish my graduate degree from the early 2000s.
Thankfully, I was connected with Charlene Perilla-Iqbal, Deputy Academic Director of the M.S. in Strategic Communication program, who was immediately supportive. Through her incredible behind-the-scenes efforts, coupled with the vision of Dr. Rebecca Heino (then-Director of the program), I was re-accepted in record time.
Originally, my intention was to finish my Executive Master of Science in Strategic Communication and in essence check a box on my bucket list. I never imagined how much Columbia would change my life.
I never imagined how much Columbia would change my life.
One of my first encounters with the faculty was with Professor Steve Jarmon, as I was assigned to his Reflective Leader class. Despite some difficulties because of my medication side effects, I was completely intoxicated by the subject matter. Professor Jarmon brought the material to life, and encouraged thought-provoking discussions. This course overlapped with the atrocities of the George Floyd murder, which was an especially sensitive time. Under the experienced guidance of Professor Jarmon, I was able to understand the dangers of systemic racism. And ultimately led me to volunteer for the NAACP later that summer.
My life changed again when I met a newer member of the Columbia team, Professor Jamyn Edis. A long-time educator, and leader in the digital space (check out his profile in Forbes!!), Professor Edis commanded respect right from the get-go. An early memory was from when I was assigned a “social media audit” in another class that was due from one day to the next. Having only had one Digital Communication Strategy class, and given my limited (read: non-existent) knowledge of the digital space, I called my new Professor Edis for help. In the middle of his busy workday, he taught me the essence of his course...in five minutes.
In the middle of his busy workday, he taught me the essence of his course...in five minutes.
Fast-forward to present day. Inspired by the new-found tools I was taught by the Professors, and the endless communication outside the classroom, I was able to pivot from the original golf tournament for the cancer hospital to a virtual event.
As a result, on January 27, 2021, we hosted a financial webinar to benefit our fund at Princess Margaret. Thanks to the support from the Columbia community (including administration, faculty, students and alumni), we surpassed our fundraising and participant goals. Increasing our impact in the fund to over $500,000 since inception.
With graduation on the horizon, 18 years after I was originally accepted, I cannot help but feel nostalgic. And so grateful.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any other person or entity.
