I was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 1980 at the age of one, and now I celebrate over 40 years of survivorship!
Hello, my name is Mariah Forster Olson and I am from La Crosse, Wisconsin, where I live with my husband and our Siamese cat. At the time of my diagnosis, there were few treatment options, and I was given poor odds of survival. I had surgeries to remove the tumor, radiation treatments, and a two-year experimental chemotherapy protocol, which is what saved my life. These treatments and the location of my tumor, however, left me with around 100 different complex medical conditions and late effects. Yet, I am alive, and I strive to focus on hope, optimism, and positivity!
I received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in business administration, both from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I am writing an autobiography about my cancer, late effects, and the philosophies and perspectives that I have learned, and I also play the oboe professionally in a variety of community ensembles. My passion, however, is working with multiple cancer nonprofits in advocacy, awareness, family support, survivorship, research, and more. I am on the American Cancer Society’s Gold Together Advisory Council, where I serve as an advocacy co-lead and train high school students to advocate for childhood cancer. I have been volunteering with ACS since 2017, serving on the ACS State Leadership Board in Wisconsin and creating the first fundraiser for childhood cancer in my area. Also, I have been advocating with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network since 2017. I enjoy advocating for patients and survivors, and I have had some unique experiences, like speaking at a legislative briefing and creating a television commercial! Overall, my goals are to help patients, survivors, family members, and a variety of professionals by providing hope, understanding, support, comfort, and encouragement.