Melissa, my daughter, has faced more challenges in the past year than most people do in a lifetime. It started when her husband told her he wanted a divorce, turning her world upside down. In the midst of that heartbreak, Melissa received the devastating news that she had breast cancer and would need a double mastectomy. As if that wasn’t enough, she was also at risk of becoming homeless when her ex asked her to leave their home. Thankfully, she found a place to stay by renting two rooms with a friend she met at Comicon.

Melissa’s surgery went well, but she lost a lot of time at work, and disability payments didn’t come close to covering her expenses. She moved near Egg Harbor Township and was commuting to Bayville every day, doing her best to keep things together. She eventually found a new job at a local pharmacy, which seemed like a fresh start. But then a snowstorm hit, and the pharmacy parking lot became a sheet of ice. Despite being careful, Melissa slipped and fell, breaking her sacrum in two places. She was sent home to heal, but now she’s unable to work and is caring for her daughter without any income. Worker’s comp hasn’t kicked in, and she wasn’t at the job long enough to qualify for disability. With rent, car payments, food, and all the basics piling up, Melissa is struggling to make ends meet.

Just when we thought things couldn’t get harder, Melissa’s leg buckled at home and she suffered another serious fall. She’s now in the hospital trauma unit, being tested for a possible pelvic fracture and neurological issues. She’s in a great deal of pain and will likely be unable to walk for some time. Meanwhile, worker’s comp is being uncooperative, and Melissa is left with no income at all. I’m reaching out to ask for your help—if you can afford to support Melissa, even a little, it would mean the world to her and our family. Your kindness will help her get through this incredibly tough time until she can start receiving the compensation she deserves. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.