Assistance for Mel & Chris

If this message has come across your path, you have shared an experience with Melanie in some form –
perhaps as a friend, a family member, a colleague, a parent or any number of ways that life draws
people together. No doubt, that shared experience left you with a sense of her spirit and her values:
generosity, kindness, connectedness, joy and creativity. As her life path continues through an
unexpected and challenging route, I invite you to walk with her and continue to enjoy the beauty of
those attributes and values that impacted you.

Medical Prognosis

In December 2017, Melanie started to experience left body neurological sensory concerns, the likes of
which she describes as being electrocuted. Seizures increased in frequency through the following
months. After a few Emergency Room visits, Mel was referred to the Acute Neuro Clinic in Victoria,
where a follow up brain MRI, in March, showed an anomaly on the right side of her brain. In May, a
subsequent MRI showed rapid increased growth of the lesion. With me at her side, Melanie had a brain
biopsy on May 25 th in the hopes that further information could be determined to treat the malady.
Subsequent expert advice is highly suggestive that the tumor is a high grade glioblastoma multiforme.
Treatment (radiation & chemotherapy) has since been administered to extend her quality of life from
the 6 -12 week timeline to 12 weeks and perhaps beyond. Given the rate of growth of the tumor to
date, there is an immediate risk to Melanie’s life, as central autonomic nervous function could be fatally
compromised at any time.

Immediate Need

Because of a transition from employment to consultant during the time that Melanie first experienced
symptoms, the family financial situation was adjusted accordingly in the hopes that the new consulting
income would eventually supplement the household earnings. Unfortunately, this has not occurred.
Melanie and Chris have also taken measures to access resources at this time through services and
government benefits.

In light of the situation, there are some needs:

Household: additional expenses for guests, fuel, groceries
Medical Services: healthcare aid, home supports, wellness appointments
Childcare Expenses: summer activities, childcare as needed

Although my sister has always been mindful of the depth and richness of the human experience,
Melanie has lately applied herself to exploring and embracing not only the physical realm, but the full
spectrum of spirit and soul. As I learn and grow alongside her in this experience, I appreciate that a ‘one
size fits all’ ask is not adequate. Your gift to Melanie may be in any of these realms: financial, personal
or spiritual and is of no less value than any of the others.

Hope

Several immunotherapy trials have been identified, for which Melanie hopes she may be eligible. If this
possibility manifests, a larger goal (and subsequent update) of this fundraising, beyond the $10K goal,
will be used as a source to allow her family to nimbly respond to immunotherapy trials outside of
Victoria. These would include travel, medical and clinical support, insurance and trial costs.

I am discovering beautiful, dazzling moments as my sister takes my hand and invites me to walk
alongside her on this path. The love, creativity, humor and thoughtfulness shines from her spirit and
lights the darkest corners. It is with reverence, awe and wonder that I recognize the power of love, the
peace of fearlessness and the restfulness of a strong support system. Thank you for being a part of it, as
we lift Melanie toward a path of healing and restoration.
Melanie feels your positive thoughts and they buoy her to a new perspective. Thank you for being
connected to her beautiful life. She never turns down a latte mid-morning or at 3:00 pm ;)

If you prefer to support through direct electronic transfer, please email your contribution to [email redacted] which will funnel into a trust fund.

Heart and soul,
Shanna Mawer
In collaboration with Melanie Mawer