MELstrong

Dearest Family and Friends,

My name is Jeremy Eakin and I am starting a fund today for my best friend & sister, Melissa Strickler, and her beloved family. We just received the unfortunate news yesterday that Melissa has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Although we are still waiting to get confirmation of what stage she is in, we do know that it is an aggressive type of cancer and we need to move fast. There is no doubt in my mind about her toughness & strength and I know she is going to kick this cancer’s butt, however, she shouldn’t have to do this on her own and I know she can use our support. Mel has gone through so much these past three years and is the least deserving person I can think of to endeavor this challenge. Just when it seems her life is finally settling down and getting back to normal, another curveball is thrown her way.

In light of a heartbreaking divorce, Mel’s life was completely flipped upside down one day. She had been a stay at home mom for several years caring for her two little girls, Loran & Ayla, which meant she had not worked publicly in quite some time. Just like that, Mel had become the breadwinner of the family. Even without any recent work experience and no college degree, Mel pushed forward in getting back to work and providing for her girls. She didn’t want to lose the house and force her girls to move school districts or make her girls go without anything but she never had her hand out asking anybody for money or sympathy. She accepted the challenge of life and was determined to hit any curveball thrown at her out of the park. If that wasn’t enough of a challenge, Mel has also taken the initiative to go back to school to earn her teaching certification from Texas A&M Commerce. Who was once just a full time mom just three years ago is now a full time mom, full time employee, and full time student all at the same time. All of this yet she still manages to make time for the kids’ activities as well and never misses a beat because that is how caring she is.

Mel has fought a tough battle these past few years but never gave up. Finally, she was starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Not only has she almost completed her degree while still working and caring for her family, she just recently got engaged. Both her and our family have been blessed in welcoming her new Fiancé, Trey, and his son, Trent, into our lives. Mel has shown nothing short of excitement for both planning the wedding and for graduation, both expected to take place this coming spring. Life has yet thrown another curveball at her before we can get to that point, but with our help she will hit it out of the park again. Unfortunately, Mel’s treatment will include several months of chemotherapy which will be tough on her. She will have to miss time from work, miss time for planning a wedding, miss time for planning graduation, and miss time with her family. She was so strong in the doctor’s office yesterday until the elephant in the room was let out and that was when she asked how long it takes to start losing your hair during chemotherapy. She lost it after his response and it killed me inside. I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes having both a wedding and graduation coming up while being treated with chemotherapy? Bless her heart.

We see and hear touching stories like this all of the time in the media but this time it is at the doorstep of our homes. First and foremost, I ask that you pray and give her the moral support she needs.  The doctor left our meeting yesterday with the most important advice he could give her and that was to stay positive and worry free. Secondly, if you are able to donate, I am hoping to raise money to assist Mel and her family with the medical costs of her treatment and support of her family. She will be missing a lot of work for treatment and will be losing out on significant income she will need to pay bills and provide meals for the family. Christmas is also around the corner, and I don’t want her worrying about providing a Christmas for the kids. Furthermore, this could have detrimental impact on her wedding planning which she has been so excited about. These are all things my sister will be worried about during her treatment. Your support can play a big part helping her stay positive and worry free.

I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to read this and for supporting my sister any way you can.

God Bless,
Jeremy

##MELstrong!!!!!!