Local Wife & Mother Battling Metastatic Melanoma

Hi, I'm Keri and I am fundraising for a selfless soul & her beautiful little family. I am blessed to call them friends. She and her husband are always the first people to help and support others no matter what is needed. Now they need help from others so that they can continue the battle of a lifetime.

A valued member of our community is literally facing the fight of her life. Some of you may know Missy Cross from her tireless volunteer work for The Stray Love Foundation to help animals in need in our community. Others may know her from her service to patients as an MRI technologist for the South Baldwin Medical Center. She was recently recognized by The South Baldwin Chamber’s #SBAwesome program for going “above & beyond with a caring and positive attitude”. This is also how she lives her life on a daily basis. Unfortunately, instead of caring for patients, Missy is now the patient.

42-year-old Missy was experiencing back pain in early November. Expecting a simple explanation, she had imaging done. There was no way to prepare for those results. The imaging showed extensive metastatic bone disease. A lymph node biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic melanoma.

Missy and her husband of 16 years (Brandon), immediately traveled to MD Anderson in Houston where a 2-year immunotherapy plan was put into place in an attempt and hope to achieve long-term remission. Missy returned home and started her immunotherapy regimen at Southern Cancer Center in Foley shortly thereafter. She completed two immunotherapy rounds before discovering disease progression. At that point, a decision was made to start chemotherapy, which she began on January 9th. She will return for her second round the week of January 29th. A trip back to MD Anderson will follow on February 12th, where she will have further testing to determine the extent of the progression and to evaluate her options.

Currently, Missy is unable to return to the job she genuinely loves. This has greatly impacted their family with the loss of income, mounting medical bills, and the everyday expenses required to raise their 15-year-old daughter and keep a roof over their heads. Fighting for your life against cancer is the most stressful situation a person can face. This family doesn’t need that stress compounded by the financial strain. Any and every dollar donated will allow them to keep the focus on the Fight! I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I can’t adequately express their gratitude.