Sophie LeBlanc is a Grade 11 student at Prince Andrew High School in Dartmouth, NS in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 8 in 2010, she has a secondary development of arthritis. She has been through the wringer in battling Crohn’s, including many treatment types over the past nine years (she has lost count at about 10 different types of medications and therapies). Currently she is on Stelara and Methotrexate for Crohn’s and Celebrex for arthritis, and has undergone bowel resection surgery. Sophie is determined to live actively, and is captain of her high school volleyball team and also plays competitive club ball. She wants to take an active role in Crohn’s research and has lent herself to a number of research and patient engagement studies and initiatives. She volunteers for the Crohn’s and Colitis foundation, having raised over $3,000 so far through their annual Gutsy Walk. She also is an eager camper at Brigadoon Camp Guts & Glory and participates in their fundraising efforts as well. Sophie aspires to a career in the medical field to help others like her.
