Melissa's 10-Year Victory: Give Back to Comer

My name is Melissa and in September 2013 I was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer. I was 27 years old.

Due to the cancer being a pediatric cancer I was recommended to Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago. I went through ten months of intense chemo. Often spending weeks inpatient recovering from the side effects of the medications. I went through multiple surgeries, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, er visits, and adverse reactions.

I would not have been able to get through this without my family and the amazing medical staff.

On July 7, 2014 I completed treatment and was declared NED. No evidence of disease. This July 7 will make 10 years cancer free. This is a huge milestone.

With that I would like to raise money for Comer Children's Hospital for their child life department. This department does so much for the oncology department along with the entire children's hospital.

They provide programs such as having ballet dancers come in and perform for inpatient children. They offer gift cards to family's to help with gas, lodging and even vouchers for parking. Parking is 25$ a day. I was often in the hospital for a week at a time.

In addition, they provide gifts for birthdays, celebrations, or if a patient is just needing a gift. They had masseus' come in to the room, individuals who did crafts for those that can't leave the room.

None of this would be possible without donations.

I know times are rough but I'm hoping to be able to give back $1,000.