Sometimes a truly remarkable, dependable, hard working, caring person comes into your life and you feel so lucky to have met them. That is how we feel about Donna Melanson of Portland, Maine. Nanny, housekeeper, commercial cleaner, dog walker, house sitter and all around reliable "local family substitute." That is how we feel about Donna. She's family. Now it's time for her "family" to rally around her in her fight against cancer. Many of us got to know Donna when our children were small and we had no family to rely on. She helped when one of us was on pregnancy bed rest.
She babysat, cooked, cleaned, drove, carpooled, scolded (if needed) and hugged our children while we got away for a much needed couples weekend or anniversary vacation. One of our husbands called her the "white tornado," as our house was cleaner upon return from vacation then when we had left. After a vacation, one of our children referred to her as "my Donna". We knew she loved our children like a family member would.

As our families grew older, her role in our households evolved and we were always happy and grateful to see her. Her thoughtfulness towards us showed no limits. She offered to drive us to the airport at 5 am, advised us how to get difficult stains out of a favorite blouse, helped us move (and paint) furniture to try a new layout and listened to our complaints. She rarely complained to us. That is not her nature.

Donna was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago but appeared to be doing fine. Recently, though, Donna was in severe pain and is now hospitilized. She has been told that her cancer is in multiple locations. Those of us who know Donna's story know that she has worked extremely hard in the various capacities described above to buy her lovely home and help support her daughter, Kristin, and her grandson, Michael. We are setting up this GoFundMe page so that Donna will not have to worry about her bills while she goes through her cancer treatment. Please consider making a donation for this remarkable woman.