Help Christa Beat Lymphoma!

Hello, My name is Christa Van Wieringen, and I am 28 years old living in Seattle, WA. 

A couple of months ago I went to the doctor with a persistent cough and a swollen lymph node on my neck. I was prescribed with some antibiotics and was recommended to come back if the swelling doesn’t go away. Well, it didn’t. In fact, the lump become much larger in size so I returned for a follow-up. At the appointment, my doctor recommended I get a Cat Scan as I had been experiencing some other symptoms as well.

On 10/27 I went in and the scan showed a large amount of abnormal lymph nodes in my neck and inside my chest. Confirmed with a Biopsy procedure, Bone Marrow extraction (which is negative) and a Pet Scan over the next couple of weeks the doctors had reached a diagnosis. I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, stage II.

On November 19th, I had a (successful) surgery to receive my port-a-cath, which will come in handy for my chemo treatments. I start my infusions on Dec.1 and will go once every other week, for 3-6 months. My doctor is very confident he will cure me as the success rates are 90%+ and all my other vitals are good. There's no doubt the challenge will be difficult but I am going to fight for my happy ending.

A whole lot of the success I have had and will continue to have is fueled by the wonderful and amazing support from all my family (special thanks to my sis and mom), friends, my pole fam and Mike (Meeko, too! ). I absolutely could not do this alone.


Many of you have already asked “how can I help?”. I am a contractor and my benefits don’t support the lost wages I will face as well as an overwhelming amount of medical bills that I will receive. Any amount, large or small, will be appreciated as I prepare for my battle in beating this cancer!

“I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me! -Dr. Seuss”