LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville woman is giving back to the organization that supported her through her fight with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Catherine Banks, who is a cancer survivor, told Spectrum News 1, "When you go through something like that, you kind of feel like you’re on an island a little bit."

She said she never had any serious medical concerns until her friend convinced her to schedule a regular check-up in 2016.

Banks was overwhelmed when her test results revealed she had stage three Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

"They could not figure out what it was, so they sent me in for a CT and they found a mass and it ended up being in two places and it already moved to my lungs," explained Banks.

The 47-year-old has been cancer-free for four years, but that hasn’t stopped her from helping those fighting a similar battle.

"It’s not a journey that anybody wants to be on. It’s not anything anybody asks for, but to have, you know, such a support, it helps," added Banks.

For Banks, Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana provides a much-needed outlet for opening up about her diagnosis.

"I still use them for my emotional and social support because once you're done with cancer treatment, it doesn’t end. You still kind of have the scars there of what you went through," said Banks.

The nonprofit helps cancer patients regain their health and wellness by providing emotional and social support to them and their families.

"There’s this knowledge that you can sit, be yourself, talk about what you’re going through, listen what other people are going through and realize that you’re not alone," explained Banks.

For the last several years, Banks has organized several events that benefit the nonprofit’s mission of providing support for those living with cancer.

Recently, she raised $200,000 for the "Over The Edge” fundraiser, where thrill-seekers rappelled down the 18-story Hyatt Regency in Louisville.

"It’s giving back to that community in every way that you can and I think when you’re going through it you're receiving as well as giving. I’ve received and now I’m trying to give," said Banks. 

The cancer survivor has this message for others going through a similar fight.

"As hard as it is, you keep on living, and with Gilda’s Club, they teach you to keep on living, they keep you engaged," added Banks.

She said now is the perfect time to remind everyone not to put off any exams.