Melissa’s Militia
While most women are able to bask in the afterglow of giving birth, my beautiful 34-year old niece, Melissa, received devastating news: “You have Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer… non-curable … but you can live with it for a long time.”
That’s when Melissa’s war began.
With the help of Derrick, her active duty Marine husband, her parents, and her in-laws, Melissa entered this battle filled with positive energy and incredible strength. She handled each treatment head-on while caring for her two young daughters, Elizabeth and Charlotte, and her newborn, Benjamin. It was difficult and she was often sick, but her determination was absolute. Terrified at times and often sick, Melissa never gave up.
The  6 cycles of chemo and immunotherapy, given over a 4.5 month period, have worked. The tumors are small and almost non-existent; however, the cancer cells are still there. The war continues.

Melissa and her family need not only prayers, but also financial help. The next step in her treatment is to enter a medical study at Duke University Medical Center, a two-and-a half hour one-way drive from their home. 
Raising a family on a military salary is difficult under the best of circumstances. With the added stress of fighting cancer* it is almost impossible. (*plus worrying over the added, unknown costs of transportation; the balance/deductibles of medical bills that insurance won’t cover; recommended treatments not covered at all by insurance, e.g., acupuncture or other integrative methods; and the myriad costs that occur during treatment)
My goal is to raise enough money for Melissa and her family to have a safety net for the major and minor expenses that will arise. These are the unknown expenses that can force (and have forced) a family into bankruptcy.
Melissa and Derrick received much love and encouragement after the initial diagnosis and during her chemotherapy. Now, as their battle continues, I would ask all of you to please consider donating whatever you can to help this young family.
Please join “Melissa’s Militia” and help her win this war!