A FUNDRAISER for Lymphoma Australia will be held at the Rosewood Hotel tonight (August 30).
The event has been organised by Tallegalla resident Marian Powell who has been diagnosed with the disease and is going through treatment.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects blood cells called lymphocytes.
These are white blood cells that support the immune system by fighting infection and disease.
Lymphocytes mostly live in the lymphatic system and are seldom found in our blood.
Because of this, Lymphoma doesn’t show up often in blood tests.
Lymphomas are cancer of the blood, lymphatic and immune systems.
It’s not a genetic cancer but Marian’s sister was diagnosed with the disease some years back.
Her battle was won and she’s now cancer free.
As Marian takes on her struggle, she’s hopeful she’ll beat it like her sister.
“I’ve just spent nine days in hospital because I had complications with my lungs,” she said.
“People don’t understand the complications of chemo, you’ve only got to go to the Lymphoma clinic at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PA) to see what people are going through, it’s horrendous.”
Marian’s diagnosis came after 18 months of ‘trying to find out what was wrong’.
“I’ve had immunotherapy at St Andrews, I had four doses of it and unfortunately, my passive Lymphoma turned aggressive,” she said.
“In two months, I went from stage one to stage four and the cost of continuing treatment at St Andrews would have been $105,000.
“My haematologist recommended I continue at the PA, which I did.”
The first sign something was wrong was when she noticed a swelling on the side of her neck, near the collarbone.
What followed was multiple doctor and specialist appointments, computed axial tomography (CAT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
“You name it, I’ve had it,” she said.
“I am staying with my sister at the moment, I am still on antibiotics and get my third dose of antibiotics on the 13th (September).
“My nodules have gone down a lot so the chemo is working.”
Marian is telling her story to draw attention to work done by the Lymphoma Association.
September is Lymphoma Awareness Month and the brand’s signature colour is lime.
Marian’s fundraiser will be at the Rosewood Hotel from 6pm tonight (Friday, August 30).
Entertainment starts at 7pm and donations can be made using a QR code on display at the venue.
Making music are Charlie Mackenzie, Stockwood Duo and The Sawmill Boys.
All money raised will go to Lymphoma Australia to help their fight against the disease.
