A Whittlesea local is sharing her story of fighting cancer to encourage people to participate in Dry July.
Dry July is a fundraising campaign that encourages Australians to go alcohol-free in July, and raise funds to help people affected by cancer.
Marnie is one cancer fighter who said the support she has been able to receive thanks to Dry July funds has helped her get through her cancer journey.
After being diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s Lymphoma following a routine vaccination check, the 18-year-old said coming to terms with the illness was hard, and made more difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It took me a while to process because I looked healthy and felt fine,” she said.
“But when I started to lose my hair, it started to sink in a bit – this is my new life.
“No one could come in [to the hospital] with me – I think mum came to my first treatment and from there I was on my own.”
Marnie underwent chemotherapy every fortnight, for six and a half hours per session.
She said the reports about the COVID-19 situation added to her stress levels.
“You’re stressed because the media shows you how dangerous it can be for people with low immune systems,” she said.
Marnie’s 2020 was made slightly better with some good news halfway through her treatment.
“[The medical team] were hoping to see good results,” Marnie said.
“Then I had my PET scan, and it was all looking really good – they were sort of blown away by how I was responding to it.
“I sort of am just blown away by how strong I was and that I got through it.
“My energy levels are still getting back up there but compared to how I was feeling for those eight months, I feel incredible.”
Marnie said she wanted to share a message for those feeling completely healthy, considering the circumstances of her own diagnosis.
“Make sure you have check-ups with the doctors,” she said.
“In my case, I was diagnosed without symptoms.
“Anyone can be diagnosed, so just get checked.”
Dry July details: www.dryjuly.com/
