Discus Awards

To read more about Melinda's experience buy her book, "Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery". Proceeds of the book are donated to childhood cancer research and childhood cancer organizations.

My life-changing journey began in the fall of 2007, when I became mysteriously ill. After months of exhaustive searching, repeated misdiagnoses, and desperate testing, I at last was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma on December 18th, 2007. Strangely enough, it came as a relief…we then knew the enemy, and how to proceed in declaring war. However, the overwhelming weight was only temporarily lifted. I began my first of four rounds of intense chemotherapy shortly thereafter, followed by three weeks of daily radiation. Throughout the six months that my treatment spanned, the love of my family, the comfort of my God, and the healing of my passion, dance, kept me anchored in the real world while afloat in that of cancer. Finishing treatment on May 8th 2008, I soon faced a plethora of life-threatening side effects. Facing and overcoming an eating disorder, I went on to discover the value of helping others through my story.

While slowly ascending the mountain of health, I began writing about my journey. Without an ending goal in mind, I wrote for healing, for acceptance, for purpose, and simply because my love of writing urged me to tell the intriguing story I could never have dreamt I would call my own. Initially writing for me, I slowly began to turn my attention to others. I realized that my story could comfort others, evoke gratitude for their lives, and, in turn, make them happier. Suddenly, I wanted to share it. To think that cancer could be molded into something good intrigued me. For six months, a spiral notebook and pen never left my side, that is, until I wrote the last letter of the last word of my book in August of 2009 and took a step back to comprehend the stack of notebooks before me. There it was…my story…whoa.

My experience has carefully (and at times harshly) shaped my priorities, and I am now highly involved in cancer advocacy in my community. I speak at various fundraisers for organizations like the American Cancer Society, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, and Children's Miracle Network. In addition, proceeds from the sale of my book go to childhood cancer research and many different childhood cancer organizations. Further, I am a 2012 LiveSTRONG Leader, making me a leading cancer advocate in my community. In my “normal” life, I am a senior in high school with a slightly fuller and more unusual plate than most. To maintain my busy schedule I prioritize, organize, make lists, avoid spreading myself too thin, stay on top of things, and take lots of nice, deep breaths! But because the nature of my activity is very rewarding, I both enjoy and thrive off of the quick pace of my life. My cancer experience has placed a unique window in front of my life perspective. It has washed away the trivial concerns of life and left nothing but that which stands at the core- love, gratitude, and giving.

Filed under: Melinda Marchiano • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner