Name: Marisa Aliano
Location: Bundoora, Melbourne
Age at diagnosis: 33
Cancer Type: Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma

What brings you to this site? Once diagnosed, I wanted to find a place with information and resources which would help me better understand the disease, and to read other peoples experiences and stories.

Favourite quote: We are here for a good time, not a long time.

Favourite colour/ music/ book/ food/ hobby and why (include as many or as few as you want):
Favourite book – Harry Potter series
Music: Eros Ramazzotti, Andrea Bocelli
Food: Italian

The things that are helping me get through treatment...faith, prayer, my children.

Cancer has changed me because...it has made me realise that nothing is certain in life, we don’t know what is ahead, and we have to be thankful for all we have and appreciate those we love for every moment is precious.

My top three tips for healing…as I am only a third of the way through my treatment, I would appreciate any tips

The most important lesson I’ve learnt in life….take nothing for granted, life is precious.

The person I’d most like to meet and why...way too many to list.....

The people I love and why…I love all my family and friends, my husband, my mum, brothers, but most of all my two kids....who keep me grounded and bring me back to reality when the pressures of what I’m going through get me down. They make me laugh and cry, and give me the strength to keep going.

If I had a million dollars I would...go on a wonderful holiday, provide for my children, and donate the rest to continuing the research in the fight against cancer.

My most memorable experience…the birth of my children

My perfect day would be...enjoying time out on a holiday with my kids

Happiness is...being with those you love...

Thanks for being our feature Revive member Marisa!!

Do you want to share your story with us? If so we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

You can also read more inspiring stories in our Member Interviews Archive