A rare cancer diagnosis, a double mastectomy, and a house fire that destroyed our family home of 50 years — all within one year.

Hi, I’m Melinda.

On October 1, 2024, I was diagnosed with triple-negative metaplastic breast cancer — a rare and aggressive subtype that affects about 1% of breast cancer patients.

While undergoing treatment and fighting to recover, my life was turned upside down by a series of devastating events that changed everything for my family.

Timeline

I was diagnosed with triple-negative metaplastic breast cancer.

I underwent a double mastectomy as part of my treatment plan.

I went through months of aggressive ACT chemotherapy while trying to keep moving forward through treatment and recovery.

At 11:30 PM, a fire destroyed my family home in Hackensack — the home my family had lived in for more than 50 years. I lost my home and most of my belongings while still recovering from cancer treatment. The fire injured two people and was reported by local news.

Just weeks after the fire, my mother suffered multiple strokes that left her aphasic and struggling to communicate.

Since then, my father has been in and out of medical facilities while our family continues to navigate serious health challenges.

After months of instability and medical crises, we were finally able to have my parents together again in the same room. It wasn’t the home we lost, but having them together again brought a small sense of peace during an incredibly difficult time.

The home my family lived in for more than 50 years is gone, and there is no going back. What used to be our home has become a series of temporary places and medical facilities as we try to navigate recovery and stability.

Today, I am continuing cancer recovery while trying to stabilize housing, manage medical expenses, and rebuild my life after losing my home.

I am doing everything I can to move forward, but rebuilding after cancer, a house fire, and my parents’ medical crises is incredibly difficult to do alone.

What Your Support Helps Cover

• $25 — Medication co-pays and prescriptions

• $50 — Groceries and essential daily needs

• $100 — Medical bills and treatment expenses

• $250 — Housing and stabilization support during recovery

• Any amount — Helps me rebuild safely and sustainably

Every contribution truly helps.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser is another powerful way to help my story reach others.

Thank you for standing with me as I rebuild after cancer, fire, and a year of unexpected challenges.

With gratitude and all of my love,

Melinda