Support Mark and Melissa During 3rd Cancer Battle

My name is Hannah, and I feel deeply compelled to raise money for my beloved former coworker and friend, Melissa, as well as her husband, Mark. Mark’s cancer has returned for a third time, and Melissa, being his sole caregiver, is having difficulty juggling providing financially while transporting mark to and from treatment. Let me tell you how I met Mark and Melissa and why I feel the need to assist.

In 2018, I began working at an assisted living facility. Melissa worked as a cook and served delicious meals to our residents with love. Our residents adored her, and she adored them. I became friends with her quickly as we joked around, made light of our stress, and picked at one another. Only a couple of months into my job, I went on lunch to find Melissa in our break room in tears, clocking out. Mark had just been diagnosed with cancer. I felt awful for my friend.

Only a couple of months later, my family was given the same news. My grandfather, who had raised me, was diagnosed with the exact same cancer, in the same place that Mark had been. Melissa and I became incredibly close fast due to eerily similar circumstances. Melissa and Mark checked on us more than nearly anybody and made sure we were okay during my grandfather’s battle. Melissa and Mark went out of their way to do for us in any way they could. I remember a winter storm that knocked our power out for days, and it was Melissa and Mark providing us with firewood that kept us warm while my grandfather was sick. My grandfather passed, and I always felt somewhat relieved that Mark had made it to remission.

Mark’s cancer returned shortly after my grandfather passed. Melissa had been working tirelessly to provide for both of them, so much that she neglected herself, and somehow still helped others as she could. As if things couldn’t get worse, Melissa was required to have surgery that left her hospitalized for months due to infection. She had an open wound that covered the entirety of her abdomen that couldn’t be closed for over 8 months. Two years later, Melissa is still dealing with recurring infections that force her into hospitalization repeatedly.

Melissa is Mark’s sole caregiver. She transports him to and from treatment, she cares for him at home, and is the sole provider of the household. This makes keeping rent paid and food on the table near impossible. Mark is fighting for his life and this couple desperately needs assistance with food, necessities, gas, and rent. This couple is dear to me and they deserve all the help they can get during such a difficult time. The situation for my beloved friends is dire.

Melissa is working, battling her own health problems, and despite all of this, Melissa still managed to finish a dietary management certificate and complete it at the top of her class. Her persistence is inspiring.

Your donations will go directly to Melissa and allow her to provide food, pay rent, and afford gas.