I identify as a Canadian woman, living in Northern Ontario. I am a married cat-mom to two chunky tabbies.
I was first diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer at 19-years-old. Shortly after my diagnosis I began to struggle with recovery, which took a serious toll on my mental health. I spent far too long feeling isolated and misunderstood despite having a strong family support team surrounding me.
I heard about YACC through a friend about a year after my initial diagnosis and decided to take the leap of faith and connect with the organization online. It wasn’t long before I realized just how much was missing in my supportive care and how meaningful YACC really was! YACC became a safe haven of hope and a constant source of support for me through my recovery process. YACC has carried me through two relapses and has continued to support me every day since.
The YACCtivist program is an opportunity for me to share my passion for AYA support in the cancer care community. It has given me the tools and drive to be able to share my story and message with medical professionals and create meaningful relationships with my peers. I am so excited to see where YACCtivism takes me!
Diagnosis: Papillary thyroid cancer
Age at diagnosis: 19
Province: ON
AROUND THE WEB:
- Marley’s survivor profile
- Marley’s YACCtivist blog posts
- What it feels like: A thyroid cancer diagnosis at 20 (April 2021 – Healthing.ca)
- Honest As A Mother (August 2020)
- Life After High School (November 12, 2019)
- Sudbury woman diagnosed with cancer at a young age is helping others in the same situation (September 11, 2019 – CBC)
- Sudbury woman named national advocate for youth cancer support group (September 11, 2019 – CBC)
