I met Michele Hamilton as a kindergartner. We tied for highest score on a preliminary exam of our 5 year-old scholastic aptitude, and based on our performances, our mothers decided that we should be friends. We have been overachieving best friends ever since. For 38 years, Michele has always been the optimist to my pragmatism; the "it always works out in the end" to my "always have a plan and then make sure to have a backup plan". Michele's perspective on life has allowed her to accomplish so much. She dreams and she does. From her educational pursuits at UC Berkeley as a young mother to her founding of a Montessori preschool and a social-justice elementary school, she has always been undeniably fearless.    

This mother, friend, educator, and entrepreneur is now a woman fighting triple negative breast cancer. The diagnosis came two weeks ago, and Michele has discussed her treatment plans along with her plans to take care of her family and her two schools during and after her surgery, chemotherapy and radiation regimens with me. "I don't just have two children to take care of. I have 65 children depending on me," she said.

In preparation of her upcoming battle, she has created plans and backup plans. So if Michele is now taking on the role of the pragmatic one in our friendship, then that means that I will have to learn to be the fearless optimist.

Luckily for me I have had an amazing teacher. 

And it is from this new mindset that this campaign originates. For Michele the next 9 months will be filled with surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It should not be filled with worry about meeting her high deductible, copays, and medication costs that are not covered by her insurance. To all those who know, love and appreciate Michele, please stand with me as fearless optimists and ensure that it will all work out in the end for her.  

Michele's first chemotherapy session is scheduled for December 7th.

Thank you for your love, assistance, encouragement and generosity.

-Jessica Roberts