Woman shares how childhood cancer led to career helping kids

In 2010 Molly Norris was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After undergoing treatment, she remained in the hospital’s cancer Survivorship Program.

If you saw 25-year-old Molly Norris today, you’d never guess she’s been fighting serious health challenges since she was a toddler.

Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at age 2, a biologic medication finally gave her relief. But in 2010, when she was in 5th grade, her health again took a turn for the worse.

“Molly kept coming down with what looked like pink eye, then adenovirus and a large swollen lymph node on the right side of her neck – nearly the size of a golf ball,” said Molly’s mom, Jody. “She struggled with frequent colds, hives, rashes, night sweats and trouble gaining weight.”

Molly was a patient of Dr. Jeffrey Hord, director of the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Dr. Mary Toth (retired pediatric rheumatologist).

Troubling symptoms lead to cancer diagnosis

Because she’d been on a biologic for her JRA, Jody raised the question no parent wants to consider: Could this be lymphoma?

Initial tests didn’t answer that question. After 6 months of antibiotics with no improvement, an ear nose and throat (ENT) doctor performed a fine-needle biopsy that showed reactive hyperplasia (a benign condition that happens in response to chronic inflammation). Since her symptoms didn’t go away, Molly was referred to pediatric surgeon Dr. David Andrews at Akron Children’s to remove the lymph node. The surgical pathology finally provided an answer – Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Molly became a patient of pediatric hematologist-oncologist Dr. Jeffrey Hord and began 3 rounds of outpatient chemotherapy that November and December.

“Molly would get very sick after chemo,” Jody remembered. “The Akron Children’s team was very responsive. The staff was kind and caring and very good at explaining things and reassuring us.”

Molly and her horse, Zipper. Caring for Zipper became both therapy and companionship during months when she couldn’t spend time with friends.

Finding comfort in unexpected places

While Molly stayed out of school during treatment in order to protect her immune system, she found comfort in unexpected places. Walsh Farms, owned by family friends, gifted her a retired lesson pony named Zipper. Caring for Zipper became both therapy and companionship during months when she couldn’t spend time with friends. When Zipper later passed away, Molly’s family adopted another retired pony, Red, who now lives at Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Center in Ravenna – owned by Molly’s aunt.

Molly also received a Make-A-Wish room makeover. While her room was being transformed, she was whisked away by limo to enjoy the Summit County Fair.

The power of connection with other survivors

In 2015, Molly served as an athlete advocate for the hospital’s Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer fundraising campaign.

Like many young cancer patients, Molly connected deeply with others who had walked the same road. She had a patient mentor who helped her understand what to expect physically and emotionally.

“The biggest thing cancer survivors have is each other,” Molly said. “They understand what it’s like to lose your hair and have your taste and smell change.”

Molly also participated in special programs for teen patients, including A Prom to Remember and Akron Children’s Golden Laces initiative. In 2015, she served as an athlete advocate for the hospital’s “Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer” campaign, raising funds and awareness for the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders.

After completing treatment, Molly joined the hospital’s Survivorship Program and continued follow-up care until she transitioned into adult medicine. Although her JRA went into remission for a few years due to her cancer treatment, she currently uses Actemra and Plaquenil to manage the disease.

Choosing a career and planning a wedding

Molly works as an occupational therapy assistant in Copley-Fairlawn City Schools and is planning her wedding to her high school sweetheart.

Today, Molly works as an occupational therapy assistant in Copley-Fairlawn City Schools. She traces her career path directly to her years as a patient at Akron Children’s.

“They cared, made it fun and I wanted to pay it forward,” she said.

Molly is also planning her next big milestone. In August 2026, she will marry her high school sweetheart, Xavier. True to her lifelong love of horses, the celebration will be held in a barn.

“Akron Children’s helped me through some of the hardest moments of my life,” said Molly. “Because of them, I’m here, I’m healthy, and I have a future I’m excited about.”