Hi, my name is Sara Mendelson. I am raising money for the Gradine family as they face the challenge of their lives. In an unimaginable turn of events, both Steve and Heather Gradine were diagnosed with cancer in the last month. Steve's prostate cancer is highly treatable, and he is scheduled for surgery in January. Just as they were planning for Steve's treatment, Heather received a diagnosis of stage 3 liver cancer. She will face chemotherapy starting this week, as well as what surgeons have characterized as "a difficult and delicate surgery" in December to attempt to remove the tumor from her liver.

This family has been part of our Western Branch community for many years. Their son, Garrett, is a 2020 graduate of Western Branch High School and is a junior at Virginia Military Institute. He plans to join the Coast Guard upon graduation in 2024. Their daughter, McKenna, is a junior at Western Branch High School. Steve has been with Colonna's shipyard for decades, and Heather works for the U.S.Navy, though many of you probably know her from her years as a fitness instructor at the Taylor Bend YMCA.

The Gradines have been good friends of ours since our boys met in late elementary school. They are a kind and giving family, and now they need help. Our friends will be facing an incredibly challenging time, with both parents needing to take extended time away from work for serious medical problems requiring expensive care. Heather's medical care will take place at VCU Hospitals in Richmond. She will be in the hospital for 8 to 10 days in December, followed by seven days in Richmond with follow-up care on an outpatient basis. There will be expenses related to travel and lodging, in addition to medical care. She will be out of work for an undetermined amount of time. Steve will receive medical care locally, but will also need to be out of work for several weeks.

I am asking for donations to help The Gradine family manage this unexpected health crisis.