Hope 4 Melinda - A battle of Cancer

Melinda Burchett was sadly diagnosed with cervical cancer in October of 2016, just 5 months after graduating from TMCC nursing school. Melinda endured 6 weeks of chemo followed by both internal and external radiation all the while being a new grad nurse at Renown Regional Medical Center in the nurse residency program. While the 12 hour shifts became too much for her body during this time, Melinda continued to work and provide flex support to nurses on her units.  In February Melinda had a PET scan and biopsy that was clear of any cancer and in June after completing her year of residency she chose to join the General Surgical Unit (GSU) of Renown as core staff. However, in July of 2017 she was informed that her two repeat PET scans and biopsy showed she had Mets to both her lungs. Unfortunately, there are multiple nodules in all lobes of her lungs and there is no further treatment available. Melinda has been given 6 months to 1 year to live. Melinda has been married to her husband Bob for 11 years this September. They had 3 children together; Grace, 9, Lillian 7 and Milo who passed away at the young age of two and a half in Dec. of 2013. The loss of their son and the time she spent in the hospital with nurses that were so caring is the reason she chose to give up her career of 10 years to pursue nursing. Amazingly Melinda continues to show up to work every week, not only out of her love for the profession, but also due to the financial hardship she has endured. Due to her late sons hospital expenses, her school expenses, and her fight against cancer she and her familyhave been left with a considerable amount of debt. Melinda is an amazing friend, co-worker, mother and wife and we hope to raise enough money that she can spend as much time as possible creating memories with her beautiful family.  Some of Melinda’s final wishes are to travel to Minnesota to see her mother and siblings, go to the beach near where her son’s ashes were spread as well as take her daughters to Disneyland.