Merrissa's Leukemia Expenses

Every once in a while, someone comes into your life and makes it a little bit better.

Merrissa is one of those people.

Ever since she came into our lives we have laughed more, hiked more, kayaked more, and biked more. We have connected more with ourselves, each other, and nature, in very large part because of her.

She fills every day with possibility and adventure and leaves you longing for more. She has a magnetic energy that overwhelms you with a sense of belonging.

From the moment she welcomes you with a "Merrissa hug" to the moment you part ways, you can't help but feel joy; she embodies joy. And the more she spreads it around, the more she seems to have to share.

Merrissa is incredibly attentive to the needs of others and thoughtful beyond measure. She listens and she shows up. She is the kind of person who puts the needs of others before her own and who is always the first to lend a hand.

As you can probably imagine, Merrissa was thrilled to learn that she has type O Negative blood - the kind of blood that is highly sought after. The kind that is used in emergencies. The kind that is safe for newborn babies. Having a universal blood type meant that Merrisa could do even more than she already has in her 32 years on this planet, to help those in need. She could help save lives! She was eager to set up a blood donation appointment and did so right away!

A few days after her donation, The Red Cross contacted Merrissa to tell her that her blood could not be used and that she should see a doctor as soon as possible. She was confused and scared by this but made the suggested doctor's appointment.

At that appointment, Merrissa found out that the reason The Red Cross could not use her blood is because she has Chronic Myleoid Leukemia. She has blood cancer and didn’t even know it.

Merrissa was going along, living her best life and making plans for her future when she was told that all of the plans she had been making needed to come to a screeching halt. Instead of hiking, camping, going to concerts, dating, laughing with her friends and advancing in her career, she now needs to go to doctors appointments instead. Suddenly she is faced with an overwhelming amount of tests, appointments and medications to sort through.

She has needed to adjust the time she spends outside in case the side effects of her chemo medication become too intense.

She is coming to terms with the fact that creating a family of her own can no longer be a priority and ultimately, that she needs to find a way to pay for it all.

That's where you come in. Her fellow Good Samaritans. Strangers that have the opportunity to save her from what cancer is threatening to take away. I could go on about healthcare costs and the financial ruin that awaits all of us, should we find ourselves on that side of the aisle, but simply put, our friend needs your help. Cancer is an expensive disease and it’s going to take the generosity of others to make it okay.

Sharing space with Merrissa has left all of our cups overflowing. She is everything you’d hope for in a friend. And as her friends, we’d like to try and help her during one of the most difficult times of her life, so that she may focus on the path forward without the overwhelming financial burden that this disease has presented.