I have created this Go Fund Me with love and support for my best friend of 41 years Melissa Cafferty.

Melissa was diagnosed with a rare type of stage 4 bladder cancer with osseous metastatic disease on May 30, 2025. She began with symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection over a year ago , but her symptoms were dismissed and misdiagnosed and treated for UTI's by several of her primary care doctors .

After a year of false diagnoses , her condition began to get worse and the cancer has now spread to her bones.

Melissa fell ill at her home on July 13, 2025 , and was admitted to the hospital for several days. During this time the oncologist recommended she start treatment right away for this aggressive & rare type of bladder cancer.

Melissa started to fight the most hardest battle of her life on 8/01/2025.

At this time she is unable to continue her job that she absolutely loves at the emergency room of a hospital here in North Carolina because she needs to keep her immune system strong while receiving Chemotherapy treatments. Also, it is hard for her to work due to the pain , fatigue and side effects from the cancer and also the treatments.

While unable to obtain FMLA or unpaid benefits due to not being employed long enough with this employer I am asking friends and family to consider donating.

The funds raised will be used directly by Melissa for medical bills, medications and monthly living expenses for not only Melissa but also for her 12 year old son Justin . This will help take off some of the financial burden/worries that she is currently dealing with so she can continue to fight without these worries.

As her best friend I have seen her work so hard over the years providing for her family and never hesitating to help a friend or family member in need. Now it is our turn to give back to her .

Thank You in advance for supporting my best friend Melissa through this difficult fight . Also, more importantly for making her aware that she is not alone on this journey!

Wendy