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Marisa Reda - Montreal

Marisa Reda

Montreal QC
Canada

I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's/Burkitt's Lymphoma in December 2004, when I was pregnant with my second child. At the time, my son was 2 years old. I was then monitored weekly by my hematologist/oncologist during the rest of the pregnancy, for a total of five weeks. In mid-January 2005, at 34 weeks into the pregnancy, I was induced and delivered a healthy baby girl. Two weeks after having my daughter, I started treatments. I underwent 2 rounds of chemotherapy and stayed in the hospital for the whole duration of my treatments. In April, I was done with treatments and cancer free.

I look at things differently now, I appreciate the little things in life.

I have lived in isolation before, while I was hospitalized during my treatments. So this current "stay at home/quarantine" is not as hard for me as it may be for some.

My sister-in-law was participating at the Light the Night walk via her employer's team. She invited me and my family to participate with them, and ever since then we have been going to the walk with our own team.

The Light the Night walk is very sentimental, emotional for me. It is very inspiring; I love seeing all the white lanterns, and participating in the survivor ceremony. It gives me hope.

It is a very beautiful walk, very well organized.

A lot of people get diagnosed with blood cancer, more than we ever think. It is a very scary experience, and yet with research it has become one of the more treatable types of cancer. Every dollar raised during the walk, goes to research so that one day, we can find a cure for this cancer.

Do you have a story to tell?

As a supporter, in memory, or as a survivor… share with others why you are helping end blood cancers by participating in a Light the Night Walk