Marissa's 30th Cancerversary Fundraiser

October 16, 2023 Updates: A huge thank you to all who have donated! In August 2023, I spoke at the International Society of Ocular Oncology conference in Kenya, and spent time with retinoblastoma medical professionals from across Africa.

Check out the two interviews I did while in Kenya for Citizen TV and KBC

I was also featured in the New York Times Opinion Section on October 8, 2023 in an article about pediatric oncology, cancer survivorship, and was blessed with the opportunity to share my story with NYT readers.

As World Eye Cancer Hope USA plans for the One Retinoblastoma World conference in Hawaii in October 2024, your financial contributions are greatly appreciated.

XO

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March 27, 2022 Updates: I will celebrate 30 years being cancer free from bilateral retinoblastoma!

Retinoblastoma is a pediatric eye cancer that can be identified by a “white glow” in the pupil of the affected eye. 

This monumental anniversary has been a time of reflection on the life-long journey of being a pediatric cancer patient and an adult cancer survivor. Many of you know that the path has been arduous at times, including losing my left eye at 23 months of age and enduring a decade of exams under anesthesia to treat and monitor tumors in my right eye. 

With over 75 cancer related surgeries in my lifetime, the recent loss of the majority of my remaining vision presented new and formidable challenges and altered the course of my life forever.

It is through the most difficult times that you learn how to pick yourself up and continue on, and this has been true through my cancer journey. I am dedicated more now than ever to being an international advocate and activist for retinoblastoma.

In celebration of 30 years being cancer free I am raising $15,000 for World Eye Cancer Hope USA, a non-profit organization that I am a founding board member of and have been the president of since 2017. WE C Hope’s mission is to offer resources, education and support to families undergoing treatment for retinoblastoma, survivors navigating the post-cancer life and medical professionals and care givers who work with affected families.

Donations from this fundraiser will finance regional family and survivor events in Southern California, the Midwest, the Tristate area, and others. It will also fund support packs that retinoblastoma centers around the country can give to newly diagnosed families with FAQs and resources to help along the journey of treatment. Support packs will include information about chemotherapy options, enucleation, genetics and genetic testing, sibling and family support and child life and mental health resources.

Your donation will directly impact survivors and their families, along with children who have yet to be diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

Click here to read more about Marissa’s retinoblastoma journey

Click here to learn more about retinoblastoma and World Eye Cancer Hope

Here is to 30 more years!

Thank you and Fight On! 

Join me in celebrating 30 years being cancer free by raising money for children, families, and survivors affected by the pediatric eye cancer Retinoblastoma.

Marissa and her mother, Marty, stand in matching shirts from a local bar in front of The Treasury in Petra, Jordan.