Malissa was diagnosed with EHE, a rare and difficult-to-treat sarcoma, in late 2023. After a surgery to remove the masses, doctors assessed Malissa’s cancer to be in remission. This year, unfortunately, after Malissa experienced severe medical events, doctors found that her cancer had spread to her diaphragm and the tissue surrounding her heart. While doctors are working through the best treatment plans for Malissa, the probability that they will be able to cure her EHE is low. The medical team treating her is focused on maintaining her quality of life and giving us as much time with Malissa’s beautiful soul as they can.

Due to the intensive medical treatment and other health difficulties associated with Malissa’s condition, she is unable to work for the foreseeable future. John has continued to work full-time in order to support the family. Those of us close to Malissa and John know how dedicated they are to being there for others. This fundraiser was organized by me, John’s sister, to create an opportunity for friends and family to lend some financial assistance to Malissa, John, and the boys. If you’d like to support them, any words of kindness, a hug, a card, or a gift would be appreciated. Please also consider how much a donation to the family would lighten their burden.

The money you donate to this fundraiser goes to Malissa, John, little Johnny, and Theo. Your kindness will help them through this transitional period by covering food, childcare, medical expenses, and other family support costs for the coming months or, hopefully, years. Any amount that you donate will be deeply appreciated. It will lift some of the weight off Malissa and John while they hold onto hope and joy for the future.

For more details on Malissa’s condition, you can click the link below and read her updates on Caring Bridge:

https://www.caringbridge.org/site/f96b40db-71a1-3a50-91fc-efcdf1f047c3/post/a8f61dec-caf5-4fb4-a7ec-c32637832632?utm_source=website_share&utm_medium=share_button&utm_term&utm_content=facebook_share_button&utm_campaign=post_php&fbclid=IwY2xjawN8e_NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR61G-YWLs7aDR2BBygtxepehvJmuzsC0iDXrAXA0IyEFFm2r0mgfSyReMfrAg_aem_3SVC3cwmSBCCOw3vmAYLmg