Isabel began a degree in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool in September 2018. In her first term, she successfully applied to Camp America and as her first year at university ended, she flew to work at Camp Small Valley in the USA run by ‘Girl Scouts in the heart of Pennsylvania’.

Isabel loved the experience and the friends she made there: like-minded, similar characters who were inspired by the Girl Scouts Motto: Building girls of courage, confidence and character. During Isabel’s time at camp in America, she developed what was thought to be an infected wisdom tooth. When the tooth was eventually removed, the surgeon discovered it was a tumour and Isabel flew home from camp the next day. A few days later, a scan showed Isabel had a very rare cancer; Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, with secondary tumours in her liver, adrenal glands, jaw, spine and pelvis; stage 4 and incurable.

In August 2019, while in Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Isabel had radiotherapy and began immunotherapy, but unfortunately developed immunotherapy related hepatitis. Oncologists then began a targeted therapy in September 2019 and after 6 weeks in hospital, Izzy was able to return home. Despite initially responding well to the therapy, by February 2020, the tumour in her jaw returned and after shielding alone for over 2 months during Lockdown, Isabel passed away peacefully, at home with her parents and her older sister on 10th May 2020, just 7 days before her 20th birthday.

Isabel McEgan began her Girl Guiding journey in Rainbows when she was 5. She moved up to the 1st Rainhill Brownies, then later to Rainhill Guides. While studying for her GCSEs, at Rainhill High School, Isabel undertook her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award, through Girl Guiding, soon followed by her Silver award during her first year of A levels. At 16, she became a Guide Leader. This involved helping weekly at the Rainhill Guide group as well as qualifying to take Guides on overnight camps at Guide camps including Waddow Hall. In her final year of A levels, Isabel completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, being presented with it on her 18th birthday, on 17th May 2018, at Buckingham Palace by Louise Minchin and HRH the Duke of Wessex.

During Izzy’s treatment, the Director of Camp Small Valley, in Pennsylvania, Julie Queen, inspired by Isabel’s love of life and positive attitude, initially suggested a fundraising event with the girls from Camp America to support Claire House Children’s Hospice and the Teenage Cancer Trust, both charities which were a great support to Isabel and her family. 15 girls, flew from Australia, American and all areas of the UK to join together in January 2020, and in freezing, snowy conditions, to complete the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge, raising over £12,000 for these deserving charities.

After Isabel’s passing, Camp America wanted to do something further in memory of Izzy’s legacy, which would be ongoing. Julie Queen, camp director of Camp Small Valley has been instrumental in setting up ‘The Izzy Bee Memorial Scholarship Fund’, with help from GirlGuiding North West.

The Izzy Bee Memorial Scholarship Fund (IBMSF) will award one annual scholarship of up to £1,000 to a qualified applicant. The scholarship will be used to pay for fees associated with summer camp placement at a Girl Scout camp in the US. The camp will be a Designated Sponsor Organization, such as Camp America or Camp Leaders. This will enable other youngsters to enjoy the same opportunities and experiences Izzy did; something we know she would very much support.

GirlGuiding Merseyside have committed to donate £100 per year for the first 3 years of the Fund, and Isabel’s parents and godparents £250 on the anniversary of her birthday each year. We hope to raise the rest of the money through sponsorship and donations to enable other young people, who may not have the means, to enjoy the experience and rewards of working with children both here and in the US.

Isabel's parents, Amanda and Paul, would like to thank James Alpe Ltd, Clitheroe for very generously organising and hosting a Charity Golf Day on Friday 25th September 2020 and Axalta Coating Systems UK who will be undertaking a 'Cannonball Run' around their UK locations in October 2020 to raise funds to open the Trust.

As Isabel's funeral was sadly limited by COVID restrictions, Amanda and Paul, and Isabel's sister, Eleanor will be holding a memorial for all our family and friends to celebrate Isabel's short, but well-lived life for her 21st birthday, on 16th May 2021. We hope we will be able to share further details about this Foundation and it's progress at this time.