Just this past summer, Marissa Lanza, a mental health counselor at Phoenix House, posted a message on her Facebook asking for small donations - used clothes, toys, etc. - for the residents she works with. Just simple things, a few surprises she could offer to let them know people cared. And thanks to an overwhelmingly positive response from her friends and family, Marissa was able to give an extra helping hand. As anyone who knows Marissa can attest, she’s someone who’s always ready to help out and likes to give back to her community when she can.

Only one month ago, while experiencing severe stomach pains, Marissa went to urgent care thinking she had come down with a bad virus. After several days in the hospital and a few inconclusive tests, the doctors ran a CT scan which showed a mass and after a biopsy it was confirmed that she had cancer.

Today we all have a chance to help Marissa in her fight against this disease.

Caring and loyal, determined and hardworking, we love and respect Marissa for the person she has become despite the many obstacles she has surmounted in her life…

At only 8 months old Marissa was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. She went through the first years of her life in and out of the hospital - receiving chemotherapy, radiation and finally surgery. Happily, after almost three years of fighting for her life, the cancer went into remission and things seemed to return to normal.

However, at 9 years old, Marissa’s mother tragically succumbed to breast cancer. Losing her mother at such a young age deeply affected her spirit and changed her trajectory for years thereafter. Though with courage, positivity and hard work Marissa was able to move past the pain and create a life for herself healing and helping others.

But on October 1st, everything changed once again. Just as she and her partner Staci were settling down into their new home, Marissa’s world was turned upside down by her diagnosis. Once again she is facing a difficult battle for her health. Luckily, she won’t have to go through this alone.

Fighting cancer is a trying time, both physically and emotionally, and the added financial stress only makes matters worse. Currently Marissa can no longer work; the lack of her salary has thus made day to day expenses more precarious. Furthermore, certain treatments may not be fully covered by her health insurance. We, her friends and family, are asking for donations to help ease this financial burden to her and her family. Please, give what you can, and let’s all show Marissa that we’re there for her and her family.

Marissas Favorite Quote is
“There is Power In Unity” 



#WeCameToFight