Help Melissa Beat Cancer

Dear friends and family,

We are heartbroken to announce that our sister's cancer is back. In May, Melissa had a PET scan done that showed her breast cancer not only returned, but has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes and possibly her liver.

Here's a little background if you don't know about Melissa's cancer journey:

Three years ago Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a complete right mastectomy, which included the removal of many of the surrounding lymph nodes, muscle and tissue. She opted out of chemo or radiation at that time, in part due to her pregnancy. From there she was deemed cancer-free for over a year. However, in November of 2020 she noticed two lumps above her right collar bone. Since then she has had several more lumps appear throughout her neck and right underarm.

So Melissa went to her oncologist and they performed a PET scan. Upon seeing the results, the doctor informed her that if they started aggressive treatment (hormone therapy, chemo and radiation therapy) right away, she might have five years to live. This was a complete shock to Melissa, and for months she was too paralyzed by fear to make a decision about her treatment plan. She has never fully trusted the conventional cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiation. She believes that safer, more natural alternatives exist. However, she was willing to follow through with whatever treatment plan would give her the best chance at beating the cancer again. But after seeing multiple doctors, the story was always the same: even the most aggressive traditional options simply don’t offer a hopeful prognosis. In every scenario she was only given a few years to live. Melissa was distraught.

Since then, the practical implications of her diagnosis have become increasingly nefarious. Over the past few months she has lost a significant amount of weight and becomes fatigued and out of breath very easily. She has shoulder, back and chest pain, among other symptoms, in part due to complications from her mastectomy. Melissa has completed several liver cleanses and in addition to her oncologist, she has seen numerous specialists, a functional medicine therapist, chiropractors, and holistic doctors.

From these appointments and her research, Melissa believes her best course of action is to receive immunotherapy treatment through the Hope4Cancer center in Cancun, Mexico. The initial treatment plan will be completed over the course of three weeks at the center in Mexico. From there she will return home with instructions, equipment and a plan to continue treatment at home with her husband and three children.

This treatment plan has given Melissa hope - hope that it will give her the best chance at having a long life.

It is imperative to us (her family) that she begin some form of treatment as soon as possible! It is clear to us that she is unwell and needs help.

Hope4Cancer requires payment in full prior to admission. Melissa and Chava have an appointment with the bank on Monday to apply for a loan for the funds. However, they do not anticipate getting approval for the full amount. We are asking for donations to supplement the funds they won't be able to secure through the bank. We are estimating that amount to be $20,000 - $25,000 at this time.

Melissa is such a loving, caring mother, sister and friend. We are hopeful that this treatment will be the right answer for her, and any help in getting her this treatment would be very much appreciated.

Please donate and/or share this message if you can. And please keep Melissa in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you!