Holding onto school during cancer treatment
Cancer treatment can take children out of the classroom for weeks or even months, with consequences that go far beyond missed lessons. For 13-year-old Santi Harrison, staying connected to school during treatment became increasingly difficult – until an AV1 robot helped him find a way back.
By the end of Year 8, Santi’s attendance had been heavily disrupted by illness, hospital stays and the demands of treatment. Without access to live teaching, gaps in his learning quickly began to show.
Beyond the academic impact, Santi also felt the loss of everyday school life – being in the classroom, interacting with friends and taking part in lessons alongside his peers.
Everything changed when his mother, Marina, learned about our AV1 robot programme. Santi describes the robot as a “complete game changer.” It has enabled him to build a flexible routine around his treatment – attending school in person when he feels well enough, and joining lessons remotely when he doesn’t.
Even during hospital visits, including long trips for radiotherapy, Santi has been able to stay connected – joining lessons from the car or waiting room and logging back in after appointments.
The impact on his education has been significant. Just as importantly, it has helped him stay socially connected.
For Santi and his family, continuing education during treatment was never optional. “Every child should be able to learn and go to school,” he said. “Just because you have cancer doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t.”
This story features in this week’s News Shopper. The full article can be viewed here: HERE
For more information on our robot programme visit: HERE