Help Michele Make Memories

In March 2022, after a lifetime struggle with Lupus and just a year after her 24-year marriage suddenly and surprisingly ended, Michele was hospitalized for 10 days and learned she had Stage III Colon Cancer. After almost 11 months of very difficult chemotherapy treatments and more hospital stays, recent scans show that her cancer has metastasized and spread to other organs.

First Chemo Treatment

In November 2022, Michele learned that her cancer progressed to Stage IV. She is currently undergoing a treatment regimen that introduces great toxicity into her body. The goal of this treatment is to slow the progression of the cancer, but the effects are debilitating to her already-fragile body.

Her focus has now become using her time on Earth to make memories with kids, Marissa (22) and AJ (18), as long as she has some quality of life. Michele has two "Bucket List Trips" she would like to make and I know we can help her make them a reality.

First, Michele would like to take her kids to Hawaii. She has been talking about visiting Hawaii "someday" since I first met her in 1987. It has always been Michele's dream destination. Second, she would like to take a trip to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) with her family and her girlfriends.

Michele's life has been very difficult for the past three years. She would never ask for help or put her business out there, but with her permission, I come to you humbly and with a heart of gratitude to ask for help so Michele can make these memories with her loved ones.

Placing Her Dark Blue Ribbon on the MD Anderson Cancer Tree

All funds will be used for these two trips, including the medical assistance necessary to support Michele's very fragile status. Michele's children live at home with her and her son, AJ, is still in high school. Any funds left over will be given to Michele and her children for expenses.

Thank you for your love and support.

Words From Michele: "I want to encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy, especially if you are over the age of 45, and DEFINITELY if you have colon cancer in your family!

Colon cancer is typically slow-growing and if it is caught early while still localized, the survival rate is over 90%. My cancer was abnormally aggressive for a 47-year-old and it should have taken five to 10 years to get to the stage I'm at. I was just one of the unlucky ones and I don't want that for you.

I know, I know....no one wants to get something up their butt. I get it. It's embarrassing and most people feel the same way. But, your GI doctor has seen 1,000 butts and you're just one more Plus, you're asleep during the entire procedure. If my story can save someone's life, I would be eternally happy. Please make an appointment TODAY! "