As a young child, Erin Morrissey was treated for a chronic mystery illness at the pediatric oncology clinic at Georgetown University Hospital.

Even with the challenging circumstances she was going through, Erin vividly remembers the positive and inviting environment – from art therapy projects before her appointments to games in the waiting rooms and bright colors on the clinic walls.

“I rarely feared going on my multitude of visits during what was, otherwise, a very scary time. This experience ignited my passion for pursuing a career in the medical field and has left me with distinct memories that I will never forget.”

Erin Morrissey

More than a decade later, Erin began working as a clinical research coordinator in the Loggia Lab at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Medical Imaging at Mass General – a dream job for someone with the goal of attending medical school.

Staying active and eating well had been part of Erin’s routine for years as an athlete. When she started noticing changes in her energy levels and athletic abilities, she knew something wasn’t right.

Pain in the lower right side of her abdomen, coupled with fatigue and other symptoms, brought Erin to Mass General – this time, it was as a patient, leaving her employee badge behind.

Shockingly, Erin had to confront a cancer diagnosis—a rare form of cancer known as adrenocortical carcinoma.

She underwent 11 photon radiation treatments and 22 proton therapy treatments as well as chemotherapy on her journey to becoming cancer-free once again.

While her experience as an adult patient was different than that of a child, she still felt that same warmth and support from her medical team.

Erin now hopes to repay the favor by running the Boston Marathon to raise money for Mass General for Children’s pediatric oncology program.

“I know firsthand what it feels like to be supported, seen, and treated like a person rather than solely as a cancer patient,” she says. “This is extremely valuable for quality of life and medical outcomes, and I want to contribute to this cause however I can!“

A day in the life of a research coordinator

Erin is a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) in the Loggia Lab, part of the Center for Integrative Pain Neuroimaging.

The research team uses various imaging techniques, including integrated PET/MRI and diffusion MRI, to study the brains of people with various chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraine.

“By working with chronic pain patient populations, our research often touches those who are underrepresented in medicine and in society,” Erin says. “The symptoms of chronic pain are not typically visible and are poorly understood, so they can easily go misdiagnosed or ignored altogether.“

“I have a deep appreciation for working with people and making connections with those that need it most, particularly through scientific discoveries!“

Moonlighting as a runner to fundraise for MGfC

Without worrying about hitting a specific mileage or time, Erin uses running and exercise to improve her mental health – having a lot of fun along the way. She uses her long runs as her ‘’me’’ time to decompress and think clearly in the fresh air.

When she cannot train outdoors, she does indoor cycling at the The Handle Bar (where she also works part-time).

Erin highlights the similitude between research and running, mentioning how both disciplines require staying focused and disciplined.

“Both research and running are best when you do not take the little things too seriously, but instead look at the bigger picture,” she explains.

“For example, a whole marathon seems (and is!) super daunting, but breaking it down into pieces- one mile, one step- at a time makes it far more manageable.”

“Similarly, tackling big research problems can feel nearly impossible. If my lab aimed solely to ‘cure chronic pain,’ we would not be very successful without breaking it down into smaller, more reasonable components and compiling a stepwise plan to achieve our greater goals!“

Finding a Silver Lining by Paying it Forward

For Erin, running for a cause has an even deeper meaning – and it is vital for her to spread the message of MGfC’s cause and why it is pivotal to continue supporting programs like these.

“I am confident that I would not be where I am today (cancer free and working at MGH) without the access to resources and immense privilege I have been blessed with” she says.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate—people of all ages and economic backgrounds are susceptible! I feel so lucky to have access to lifesaving resources, and since beating cancer, I feel extremely passionate about helping to provide resources to other cancer patients.“

“I now know firsthand that receiving a cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down, and leaves patients and their loved ones feeling helpless and vulnerable in their time of greatest need. If I can use my experience and access to resources to help anyone else struggling with problems I faced, I will do everything I can to do so!“

Erin Morrissey

About the Mass General Research Institute
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital is interwoven through more than 30 different departments, centers and institutes. Our research includes fundamental, lab-based science; clinical trials to test new drugs, devices and diagnostic tools; and community and population-based research to improve health outcomes across populations and eliminate disparities in care.
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