Help Mellora's Family After 2 Tragic Losses

In 2021, Mellora King and her daughters tragically lost their beloved husband and father Matt to cancer. Four years later, joy and wholeness had returned to their lives in the form of Russell Herstein, a funny, kind, and wonderful man who had fallen in love with Mellora, moved in with her and the girls, and asked her to marry him — their wedding celebration was set for this May.

Sadly, Russell died suddenly and unexpectedly of heart failure on March 5, leaving Mellora and the kids devastated all over again and struggling to navigate life without the man who had become such a huge source of support, love and joy for them.

Unfortunately, the loss of the family’s main breadwinner has also left them with significant financial concerns and needs.

Mellora has been unable to work for more than a year due to her eldest child’s significant and ongoing health problems — Catherine requires multiple specialist visits every week while her doctors work to determine the exact diagnosis, and this schedule is incompatible with almost all opportunities for employment. The family does receive a small amount of social security support from the government after Matt’s passing, but it isn’t nearly enough to pay the bills with the high cost of living in Northern Virginia, especially because Mellora and the girls only have health coverage through COBRA, which she must pay the entire large monthly premium for out-of-pocket (and which will run out pretty soon). (Mellora also has significant health challenges of her own, including serious dental issues stemming from hyperemesis during her two pregnancies that still require thousands of dollars worth of outstanding surgeries to fix.)

The entire family had been so relieved that they would soon have more affordable coverage through Russ’s new job and their pending marriage … but obviously that won’t be happening, now.

Bottom line: We need to replace a significant chunk of Russ’s lost income FAST or things are going to get much worse for this family who has already suffered so much.

I think I speak for all of the King-Herstein family’s loved ones when I ask all those who read this message to please consider digging deep to give what you can to help Mellora, Catherine, and Felicity through this unthinkably difficult time. Thank you in advance for anything you can spare to help!