• LLS
  • TEAM IN TRAINING
  • Light The Night
  • Visionaries of the Year
  • Student Visionaries of the Year
  • DIY
  • Big Climb
  • Community
  • Donate
  • Menu
  • About Light The Night

    About Light The Night

    • Mission
    • FAQs
    • Get More Information

    Our Partners

    • Honorary Supporters

    Recognition Programs

    • Hero and Impact Award
    • Participant Recognition

    Find a Region

    • Chapter Link
  • Ways to Get Involved

    Light The Night Walk

    • Create or Join a Team
    • Walk as an Individual
    • Corporate Teams
    • Friends & Family Teams
    • School Teams
    • Become a Team Captain
    • Social Toolkit
    • Participant Resources
    • FAQs

    Get Your Company Involved

    • Sponsor
    • Retail Campaigns
    • National Teams
    • Executive Challenge

    Random Acts of Light

    Volunteer

  • Find An Event
  • Donate
  • Account
  • About Light The Night
    • About Light The Night
      • Mission
      • FAQs
      • Get More Information
    • Our Partners
      • Honorary Supporters
    • Recognition Programs
      • Hero and Impact Award
      • Participant Recognition
    • Find a Region
      • Chapter Link
  • Ways to Get Involved
    • Light The Night Walk
      • Create or Join a Team
      • Walk as an Individual
      • Corporate Teams
      • Friends & Family Teams
      • School Teams
      • Become a Team Captain
      • Social Toolkit
      • Participant Resources
      • FAQs
    • Get Your Company Involved
      • Sponsor
      • Retail Campaigns
      • National Teams
      • Executive Challenge
    • Random Acts of Light
    • Volunteer
  • Find An Event
  • Partners
    • LLS
    • TEAM IN TRAINING
    • Light The Night
    • Visionaries of the Year
    • Student Visionaries of the Year
    • DIY
    • Big Climb
    Community

Search Events

  • All Survivor Stories Marina

Marina

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor

Downers Grove, Illinois

  • Print

In May 2017, at 23 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Earlier in the year, I had noticed a bump on my groin that I figured would go away with time. Instead, the lump just got bigger and bigger. I finally decided to have it looked at four months later. After numerous tests and visits to my gynecologist (due to mass location), I was told nothing was wrong. I knew that although it was the answer I wanted to hear, it wasn’t the correct one. I finally made an appointment with a gynecologist-oncologist, where I was told I needed surgery to remove the mass in order to test it. A few days after surgery, it was confirmed that I had lymphoma. The subtype was diffuse large B-cell and Follicular Lymphoma, which meant I had a fast and slow growing cancer. Treatments started a few weeks later and lasted a total of four months. I was blessed that everything went as well as my doctor imagined.

I have been in remission as of December 4, 2017. I am blessed to have loving friends, family, and co-workers that got me through this time. I look forward to putting this behind me and moving forward with my life. My biggest piece of advice is to not dwell on the diagnosis and feel like it’s the end. Stay positive and try your very best to continue life as normal. My second piece of advice is to find an oncologist you truly feel has your best interest at heart. I couldn’t have done it without mine!

This was my first time being a part of the Light The Night Walk, to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. After support from loved ones, a beautiful ceremony, and walk, I decided to make this a yearly tradition!

Previous Story Nicole
Next Story Denise
Previous Story Nicole
Next Story Denise

Contact InformationContact Light The Night by email or call 877-LTN-WALK

Follow Us

National Presenting Sponsor of Survivorship & Hope


Pharmacyclics-Janssen

National Presenting Sponsor of Celebration & Community


Pharmacyclics-Janssen
 

Leading Lights


Walgreens
The Wawa Foundation

Luminary


Abbvie
Amgen Oncology
AstraZeneca
BeiGene
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Burn Boot Camp
Elbit Systems of America
FIS - Empowering the Financial World
Genentech - Biogen - A Member of the Roche Group
Pfizer
Takeda Oncology

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.

  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Security
  • Link Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Public Disclosure
  • Fundraising Disclosure
  • Refund Policy
  • Email Subscription Center
  • Work for LLS
  • Canada