Mel's Breast Cancer and IVF Fund

Dear family and friends,

We would like to share a story with you all.

As many of you may be aware, our dearest friends Melinda and Adam have been trying desperately over the past few years, to start a family. Unfortunately, their dream of becoming parents has not yet become a reality. In an effort to push things along, Mel and Adam met with numerous fertility doctors and specialists for advice. The recommendation was emphatic and unanimous. Start IVF and start immediately! They heard the message loud and clear, and commenced treatment the very next day, in New York.

As this was clearly their only viable option to start a family of their own, Mel and Adam immersed themselves in all thing’s IVF. They quickly learned, that in order to start the process, Mel had to undergo a series of extensive and invasive medical examinations. It was during this process that Mel and Adam received some heartbreaking news.

Mel was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Due to the diagnosis, Mel and Adam were advised to immediately halt the IVF process, so that a series of oncologists, surgeons, geneticists, and reproductive endocrinologists could analyze the results, and devise the best path forward. After much deliberation and reflection, Mel’s options were seemingly limited and drastic.

Option 1 - perform a lumpectomy coupled with radiation and stop IVF immediately (effectively crushing their dream of starting a family)
Option 2 - perform a Mastectomy and reduce the probability of the Cancer returning, AND continue with IVF or
Option 3 - perform a bi-lateral Mastectomy, eradicate any probability of the Cancer returning AND continue with IVF.

Such is their desire to start a family, Mel and Adam decided on the most drastic, but the safest option for their dream. Perform a Bi-lateral Mastectomy and maintain course with IVF.

I appreciate that some of you may not know Mel, so for those who don’t, put simply, she is one of the most positive, kind, selfless and beautiful human beings anyone could ever wish to meet. She was born to be a mother and deserves every opportunity to realize her dream.

SO!...As Mel and Adam’s extended ‘New York’ family, we have decided to band together, and raise some money, to ensure that Mel can continue with IVF and undergo a bi-lateral mastectomy with breast reconstruction.

As you can imagine, these procedures are extremely traumatic and expensive; just ask Angelina Jolie! Unfortunately, @angelinajolieofficial’s budget isn't at our disposal so we are looking to raise as much money as possible, as the costs are significant and unavoidable.

Our only wish is for Mel and Adam to realize their dream and for Mel to be comfortable in her own, beautiful skin!

Ben and I, would like to thank everyone around the globe for the unfaltering encouragement and support you have given to our dearest friends during the last 2 months, and please know that any donation big or small, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all.
Ben and Josh