February 2018 my 16-year-old sister was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. My sister’s life has completely flipped upside down. She lost the second half of her junior year, and all the joys that came with being a cheerleader and part of student government. Cancer has changed everything.  

Not finishing her junior year and not being able to start her senior year has been heartbreaking for her and our family. This is the time for her to make memories with her friends and have fun. But instead her new normal is chemotherapy, emergency trips to the hospital, constant labs and inpatient hospital stays.

My sister has been subject to so much in such a short amount of time.

At the beginning of this journey, the goal was that by December, my sister would be done with her treatment and come January she would start the second semester of her senior year. As I have learned this year, nothing is written in stone. On 9/4 Mel underwent surgery to have her pinky toe and part of her left foot removed. Though the surgery went well her surgeon informed us that the tumor was a lot more aggressive than we thought. The best course of action would be a below the knee amputation.

On 9/11 Mel underwent a below the knee amputation. She continues to receive chemo as she adjusts to yet another life altering event. Our family has overcome many battles, but this is the biggest one yet. Our insurance will only cover one prosthetic model. My sister is going to need multiple models made for her until she finds the right fit. We need your help to make sure my sister has the best opportunity to live her best life. We know prosthetic technology has advanced immensely and Melanie should have access to it. Our biggest wish is to see our beautiful Mel live a normal life. We want her to walk, run, dance, and cheer like no other. If you would be so kind as to donate anything, and I mean anything, we will be greatly indebted to you and your family. Thank you.


 Melanie before her diagnosis...