improving the lives of children through the art of storytelling

Meet Mariah

Mariah Forster Olson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 1980 at the age of one. As a result, she has many medical conditions, which could continue to increase in number and severity throughout her life. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in business administration, from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin with her husband, Troy, and Siamese cat, Isaac, and plays the oboe professionally in her community. She feels incredibly blessed to be working on her autobiography with Bell Asteri!

Although Mariah is unable to work a “conventional” job, she works with multiple childhood cancer nonprofit organizations from her couch and laptop. Mariah is the Survivorship Lead and Board Secretary for the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer. She is also on the Board and serves as the Survivor, Family, and Resource Director for the Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Society. Mariah is on the Advisory Council for Gold Together, the American Cancer Society’s childhood cancer initiative, and she advocates for cancer-based legislation with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Mariah’s work is truly fulfilling, and she hopes it helps with the awareness, support, advocacy, research, and funding for childhood cancer and survivorship.