Vibrant, silly, artistic Melody Kashawlic died in June of 2015 of a sudden, unexpected asthma attack a few days after her last day of school. Her mother, Amber, worked to save her life with CPR. Little Melody did regain a heart beat but was eventually pronounced. Amber made the heartwrenching, but world-changing, decision to donate Melody's organs. Melody's organs were able to go to many people, including a young child who sucessfully recieved her heart.
A fundraiser was able to provide for the burial of little Melody, but was not able to cover the cost of the headstone. Further, it was not able to cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills accumulated by the efforts made to save Melody's life. Amber has been working hard to support her son and has remained a supportive, engaged mama and friend. All of us who know Amber and her family can likely think of no one who has shown such courage and strength, such honesty and humanity through adversity.
I met Amber during a rummage sale fundraiser for the school our children attend a few months before Melody died. I am not typically great at parent-school activities. Amber made me laugh and feel comfortable, we talked about our kids and family, I watched Melody and her little brother, Vince test out all the toys and play sweetly while the springtime sun beams poured through the windows. I left feeling so happy I had made a "mom-friend." It was a memory I knew would be important to me.
When Melody died, it was a heartbreak beyond compare. Even now, a year later, I find myself compelled to bear witness to the grief. Recently, Amber and I both joined an on-line women's group and was touched to see so many other women extend their support and love to her. When I learned that Melody still did not have a grave stone, or, as her little brother put it, "a pretty rock" I decided to open this page in order to help channel the grief and compassion of all of those who were touch by Melody, her gift of life through organ donation, or by Amber's spirit through it all.
Please consider donating even a dollar. This money will go directly to purchase a lovely headstone for Melody so that her mother, brother, and loving step father, as well as her classmates and friends, may enjoy a special marker when they visit her. Any excess funds will be used to help Amber manage the extensive medical bills from Melody's treatments.
A fundraiser was able to provide for the burial of little Melody, but was not able to cover the cost of the headstone. Further, it was not able to cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills accumulated by the efforts made to save Melody's life. Amber has been working hard to support her son and has remained a supportive, engaged mama and friend. All of us who know Amber and her family can likely think of no one who has shown such courage and strength, such honesty and humanity through adversity.
I met Amber during a rummage sale fundraiser for the school our children attend a few months before Melody died. I am not typically great at parent-school activities. Amber made me laugh and feel comfortable, we talked about our kids and family, I watched Melody and her little brother, Vince test out all the toys and play sweetly while the springtime sun beams poured through the windows. I left feeling so happy I had made a "mom-friend." It was a memory I knew would be important to me.
When Melody died, it was a heartbreak beyond compare. Even now, a year later, I find myself compelled to bear witness to the grief. Recently, Amber and I both joined an on-line women's group and was touched to see so many other women extend their support and love to her. When I learned that Melody still did not have a grave stone, or, as her little brother put it, "a pretty rock" I decided to open this page in order to help channel the grief and compassion of all of those who were touch by Melody, her gift of life through organ donation, or by Amber's spirit through it all.
Please consider donating even a dollar. This money will go directly to purchase a lovely headstone for Melody so that her mother, brother, and loving step father, as well as her classmates and friends, may enjoy a special marker when they visit her. Any excess funds will be used to help Amber manage the extensive medical bills from Melody's treatments.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amber Kashawlic
Beneficiary