Marisa Harris
About Marisa
Marisa was raised a military brat in San Diego. Since then her Navy ties may have slackened some, but her brattiness is always ready to sail. She moved to Oregon at 20 and took to it like a Duck. She found a forever home in Eugene.
In November of 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Major surgery and chemotherapy quickly followed. After some months, she returned to work but the cancer returned and her fight begun anew with two more major surgeries and a second round of chemotherapy.
Everybody’s cancer battle is unique, but for many it feels like a roller coaster ride in a dark void. There are unexpected twists and turns that jolt you and some of the plunges seem bottomless.
In the last year Marisa was treated within a clinical trial group. Her condition deeply worsened and her care professionals suggested she consider hospice care.
All this is not to say that there haven’t been moments of great lift and encouragement. Last fall, she began a new immunotherapy treatment regimen. Her blood work, tumor size, energy and color have all improved substantially.
Another source of lift and inspiration has been the love and faithful support of the Fore! For Four tournament community.
Along with the physical trauma, cancer can debilitate you financially, impeding your ability to work and inducing worry about daily bills and independent living. The kindness and generosity of the Fore! For Four team has truly blessed Marisa, helping financially, to be sure, but also showing that a whole community can lift you with love, kindness, and hope.