Years ago I remember exactly where I was standing when I got the phone call my baby cousin, age 6 had Leukemia. I almost fainted.  After the initial shock, and a hard fought battle against the disease, my cousin afflicted so many years before, is now less than a year away from graduating college.  What did this small miracle take, the family rallying around his needs, providing love and support everywhere they could, and tragically a lot of money.  

Friday, I learned  my niece, a girl whose spirit is boundless, and whose personality demonstrates the personification of love,  has been diagnosed with the exact same affliction--Leukemia. This time however, shock was replaced by anger, fear, frustration; I thought how could this happen again to our family? I am heartbroken and devasted.  Many times I am reduced to tears thinking of the tragedy and unfairness of an illness harming anyone so young, but worse, my beautiful niece. 

Melanie is still undergoing tests to determine the severity of the cancer and the most appropriate treatments. She is in for a long battle, but she is a fighter and a princess and still smiling through all the pain. I would take away her pain in a heartbeat if I could, but I know God has her and she is in good hands. We are asking for any and all donations that can be made to help offset/supplement the costs of chemotherapy and other treatments she will requisitely need.  Your generosity and patronage are greatly appreciated, and will go a long way towards providing Melanie a full and long life after she beats this terrible disease.  God bless!

~Jennifer Hackett