Mel and Roger have been hit with a double whammy. Roger is currently undergoing treatment for throat cancer, and has to make the 120-mile round trip to Shands 5 days per week for radiation with chemotherapy once a week on top of that. Mel was recently hospitalized with a mini-stroke and continues to have residual effects. Their family is struggling with the weight of these recent events, on top of other stresses in the past few years. Those who know this family know that they are kind, genuine, and generous people. Please consider helping them through this incredibly difficult time.

In Mel's own words:

"This has been the biggest/ hardest trial of our lives. In the past 4 years, four of my family members have been stricken by cancer. My 2 youngest sisters, Michelle and Heather, had breast cancer and God showed up and helped them through it. Then my mom got an aggressive thyroid cancer last May that the doctors said she only had a few weeks to a couple of months to live, but God again showed up and said "Not yet", and she’s still fighting strong. A month ago my husband Roger got the diagnosis of larynx/ throat cancer. He is just now starting his treatment and we are trusting in God to hold him through this also. He is very ill with the treatment protocol. About three weeks after his diagnosis, I ended up in the ER with what the Neurologist said was a mini-stroke. I am out of the hospital now and trying to help my husband through his cancer.

The medical bills are crazy; even with insurance, they are climbing faster than grass grows in the summer. We never ask for help usually, but we are just asking if you could donate whatever God puts on your heart to donate, even if it is just a prayer for this family to have the strength to make it through this trial that we are in that would be wonderful. Anything is truly appreciated. 

Thanks again in advance and God Bless you all.

The Holding family."