Mother & Daughter Both Battle Cancer

A mother and daughter both battling cancer at the same time. Denise Durbin was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer Nov 7, 2012. She is currently undergoing a 6 month regimen of chemotherapy (systemic and intraperitoneal). Denise's 16 year old daughter, Shelby, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on her scalp on Nov. 30, 2012. On Feb. 1, 2013, Shelby underwent a more extensive scalp and neck surgery and many lymph nodes in her neck were positive for malignancy. Shelby is currently a patient at the University of Michigan Melanoma Clinic. She is scheduled for further testing including PET scans and neck dissection surgery, which will guide her oncologists in her course of treatment. Denise's chemotherapy is expected to be completed in May. Shelby's treatment is expected to be well over a year.


Denise is single mother of three who has always worked two jobs as a registered nurse to support her family. She is without disability benefits and has no income at this time. She has taken a leave of absence from her jobs since her diagnosis in November. The money we raise will pay her monthly living expenses, her COBRA benefits, travel expenses to University of Michigan, lodging when necessary and medical expenses. Any additional funds will be placed in a college fund for Shelby.


Denise and Shelby, the rest of their family, and their Army of Angels are eternally grateful and thank you from the bottom our hearts.