High School Senior fights Leukemia and COVID-19
Donación protegida
Melissa Milord, a senior at Brooklyn International High School has been battling leukemia for the past 5 months, and recently she and her mom were stricken with COVID-19 and are now fighting a new battle. Please join us in supporting her recovery from both.
Up until one fateful day in November, Melissa was just a girl who was living a life that captured the heart and soul of what it means to be a typical Brooklyn teenager in 2020. In 2014, Melissa immigrated to the United States from Haiti with her mother and younger brother, where they were reunited with her father. For the first time since before she was born, Melissa’s family was finally united, all living in the same country, under one roof. Melissa completed middle school and in the fall of 2016, Melissa joined the Brooklyn International High School family as a 9th grader.
Upon entering BIHS, Melissa’s academic and leadership potential was evident. Melissa became a natural leader in her classes and within the school community. Melissa’s energy, positive outlook, intelligence, creativity, and hard work attracted the attention of her peers and teachers. From the start of high school, Melissa desired and succeeded in participating in all aspects of the school community.
Melissa is a member of the National Honor Society and has already taken multiple college classes while still in high school. Melissa was one of BIHS’ representatives in the Brooklyn Student Advisory Council (BSAC) where she brainstormed ways to improve and culturally diversify the school lunch menu. As a BIHS peer keeper, Melissa has facilitated workshops for her peers at BIHS educating them on a range of topics from bullying, to cellphone use in school, to combating stereotypes, and promoting respect for everyone. Melissa was one of the founding members of the BIHS Restorative Justice Youth Team’s fairness committee, an organized group of students working to repair harm and conflict at BIHS from the bottom up. As a member of the BIHS Student Government, Melissa has participated in the planning and execution of many student events, most notably our annual Thanksgiving Feast, an international luncheon where almost 500 people are served. This year, Melissa contributed greatly to the set-up of BIHS’ annual Thanksgiving Feast, doing much of the prep such as setting up tables and organizing food stations.
On November 27, Melissa came to school and celebrated with her BIHS family at the successful Thanksgiving Feast. What no one knew then is that this would be the last day Melissa would be in school for the 2019-2020 school year. Just a few days later, Melissa was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
Since her diagnosis in late November, Melissa has astounded those around her by her strength, optimism, and positivity. Through all the testing and treatments, Melissa has also simultaneously been working independently to complete her graduation portfolio requirements. She has remained motivated by keeping at the forefront of her mind her goal of attending her high school graduation in June.
With each new obstacle thrown before her, Melissa champions through. The most recent test of this is with the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Melissa’s father, a school bus driver was furloughed when the New York State was placed on “pause”. Melissa’s mother, who works in home healthcare, continued to work for the next few weeks before making the decision to temporarily stop working because of the risks associated with it. Then, what was trying to be avoided became a reality. Melissa tested positive for COVID-19, and so did her mom.
There is no doubt that the Milord family has had to endure an unimaginable amount of pain over the last 5 months, the COVID-19 diagnoses have added a layer of financial distress. We are raising money to try and help relieve some of the financial burden this family is under. With two parents out of work, the added cost of personal protective equipment, and the price increase of the limited nutritional items at their local supermarket, as well as the cost of living, this family could use your support. Please help send a message to Melissa and her family that we are with them in solidarity through these difficult times.
Up until one fateful day in November, Melissa was just a girl who was living a life that captured the heart and soul of what it means to be a typical Brooklyn teenager in 2020. In 2014, Melissa immigrated to the United States from Haiti with her mother and younger brother, where they were reunited with her father. For the first time since before she was born, Melissa’s family was finally united, all living in the same country, under one roof. Melissa completed middle school and in the fall of 2016, Melissa joined the Brooklyn International High School family as a 9th grader.
Upon entering BIHS, Melissa’s academic and leadership potential was evident. Melissa became a natural leader in her classes and within the school community. Melissa’s energy, positive outlook, intelligence, creativity, and hard work attracted the attention of her peers and teachers. From the start of high school, Melissa desired and succeeded in participating in all aspects of the school community.
Melissa is a member of the National Honor Society and has already taken multiple college classes while still in high school. Melissa was one of BIHS’ representatives in the Brooklyn Student Advisory Council (BSAC) where she brainstormed ways to improve and culturally diversify the school lunch menu. As a BIHS peer keeper, Melissa has facilitated workshops for her peers at BIHS educating them on a range of topics from bullying, to cellphone use in school, to combating stereotypes, and promoting respect for everyone. Melissa was one of the founding members of the BIHS Restorative Justice Youth Team’s fairness committee, an organized group of students working to repair harm and conflict at BIHS from the bottom up. As a member of the BIHS Student Government, Melissa has participated in the planning and execution of many student events, most notably our annual Thanksgiving Feast, an international luncheon where almost 500 people are served. This year, Melissa contributed greatly to the set-up of BIHS’ annual Thanksgiving Feast, doing much of the prep such as setting up tables and organizing food stations.
On November 27, Melissa came to school and celebrated with her BIHS family at the successful Thanksgiving Feast. What no one knew then is that this would be the last day Melissa would be in school for the 2019-2020 school year. Just a few days later, Melissa was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
Since her diagnosis in late November, Melissa has astounded those around her by her strength, optimism, and positivity. Through all the testing and treatments, Melissa has also simultaneously been working independently to complete her graduation portfolio requirements. She has remained motivated by keeping at the forefront of her mind her goal of attending her high school graduation in June.
With each new obstacle thrown before her, Melissa champions through. The most recent test of this is with the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Melissa’s father, a school bus driver was furloughed when the New York State was placed on “pause”. Melissa’s mother, who works in home healthcare, continued to work for the next few weeks before making the decision to temporarily stop working because of the risks associated with it. Then, what was trying to be avoided became a reality. Melissa tested positive for COVID-19, and so did her mom.
There is no doubt that the Milord family has had to endure an unimaginable amount of pain over the last 5 months, the COVID-19 diagnoses have added a layer of financial distress. We are raising money to try and help relieve some of the financial burden this family is under. With two parents out of work, the added cost of personal protective equipment, and the price increase of the limited nutritional items at their local supermarket, as well as the cost of living, this family could use your support. Please help send a message to Melissa and her family that we are with them in solidarity through these difficult times.
Organizador y beneficiario
Team Melissa
Organizador
Brooklyn, NY
Chantale Milord
Beneficiario