Hi, my name is Tom, and I am fundraising for my dear friend Mel Bachman and his family.

Mel currently works for the City of Bethlehem, but not too long ago, worked in the 911 center for 20 years and has been a volunteer fireman for 25 years. Mel and his wife, Meg, are working folks with a mortgage, car payments, and two sons at home.

Mel has just been diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma, cancer of the stomach and esophagus. The cancer is inoperable and has hit his lymphatic system. While we cling to hope for my 46-year-old friend, the prognosis is not great. I know he will fight on for every extra day he can get with Meg, John, and Sammy. He hopes to do some things with them before running out of time. In his immediate future, he wants to take his family back to Disney one last time this June. Then if he still has time, get his boys out to Green Bay to see the Packers at home.

What he hasn't asked for, but I know is in his heart, is that his wife and sons will be okay when he is gone. So I am hoping we can send him to Disney, send him to Green Bay, and have enough left over to chip away at the mortgage that two paychecks used to cover.

Please give what you can, these are good and decent people who have just been thrown into the worst situation.