In loving memory of Jamie Via & support to Melody
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Fundraising to support Melody on the tragic, and much too soon loss of her loving husband Jamie.
Their story:
14 years ago one of the great love stories for the ages began when Jamie Via met Melody (Maddox) Via at one of his concerts in Louisville, Kentucky. Jamie was the humble bass player and Melody had a friend who loved the band.
They fell madly in love.
When they met, Jamie was having a hard time after a difficult breakup but said when he saw Melody get off the elevator for their first date that he was going to be OK.
Quickly after meeting, Jamie’s kidneys failed and he waited years on dialysis for a transplant that finally came and his body accepted it.
Melody was by his side every step of the way ensuring he did his dialysis and keeping Jamie hopeful for transplant and ensuring he did what he had to do to heal from the transplant.
They had a new lease on life.
Unfortunately, Melody was soon laid off from her very good corporate job and then the struggle began, including a string of serious heath challenges for Jamie.
He was unable to work full-time because of his partial disability but he did what he could playing music and helping Melody with her contract mail route that she finally landed after a long period of unemployment.
The string of relentless medical challenges including; brain surgery to remove a benign cyst that was causing him to lose his balance, a hernia operation, and most recently, open heart surgery for a quadruple bypass after finding a 90% blockage.
Through every one of those challenges, Melody was right there by Jamie's side helping him heal.
Conversely, he was by her side whenever she needed, helping her however he could.
This held true right up until the fateful day when he was tragically killed when he was struck head on in his truck. He was, as usual, out doing what he could to support their partnership.
To add to the tragedy, Melody received an alert on her iPhone’s emergency contact crash notification when the accident occured. She was only minutes away and rushed to his side finding him already deceased and lying face down on the ground. She laid on the ground next to him begging for help but nothing could be done.
He had been killed instantly by multiple blunt force traumas. They were literally side by side until the very end.
Now,
Melody goes on to continue Jamie’s legacy of supporting organ donation through Kentucky’s Trust for Life where Jamie was a popular and effective spokesperson and supporting the Animal Rescue Network, where they adopted two deaf rescue dogs, Koda and Bindi.
Melody and Jamie have struggled financially for years due to Jamie’s disability and constant health challenges.
Jamie’s accident happened at a location along Melody’s contract mail route and we don’t know when she will be able to return to running her routes.
This leaves her with no current income and relying on the amazing generosity of family and friends.
Unfortunately, there was no life insurance or other funds leaving Melody at the mercy of the long process of settling claims that may never pay out.
Melody and Jamie were proud and hardworking people who loved and accepted everyone. If there’s anyone out there who's been touched by their love and would like to contribute to making this transition a little easier for Melody, there is no one on this earth more deserving.
Any donation, no matter the size will be greatly appreciated.
All donations will go directly to her.
Please help if you can during this trying time for melody.
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Gregory Ellington
Organizer
Louisville, KY
Melody Via
Beneficiary