Support for Team McFadden • Melissa’s Journey
Donation protected
Hey everyone,
Melissa McFadden was diagnosed with HER2+ Breast Cancer in 2021. I’ll try to keep this part succinct, as many of you have followed as she has shared updates of her fight, her journey, in her own words along the way. She has undergone surgery, chemo, radiation, more radiation, more surgery. Overall, she has worked her ass off to kick this cancer’s ass.
For those of you who don’t know Melissa personally, she is a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, team mom & coach, PTO president, philanthropist & awareness advocate, among so many other things I can’t even think of now. She and her husband, Dave, share 3 extraordinarily awesome kids together; Ian, Isla & August. Her family is her world, and I mean it sincerely when I say I can’t think of a more giving, beautiful human.
A year after entering remission & being free of any evidence of active disease, it was discovered that the breast cancer had metastisized to her brain. Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is Stage IV Breast Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (such as brain, liver, lungs or bones) and is a chronic condition that will be a part of the patient’s life for the rest of their life. Although there is no cure, Stage IV is not a death sentence and scientific advances are being made every day. Melissa is determined and is working incredibly hard to stay positive and fight for the shot that her doctors know she has. While hearing this news can be scary— we would greatly appreciate communications of success stories, positivity and hope.
So, it is time to fight. Melissa is entering a clinical trial and will be having surgery Tuesday after a month of battling with the nightmare that health insurance can sometimes be. I will link to her updates so that she can tell the rest of her story in her own words; I only wish to support her, not speak for her.
I have created this fundraiser with the confidence that we can surround and support the McFaddens with as much as possible during this unfathomable battle. No amount is too small. Even $5 or $10 can go a long way in a combined effort to help care for Melissa and her beautiful family. If you are personally unable to contribute, please consider sharing her story with others. The funds raised will be used first and foremost to help cover the medical expenses not covered by insurance that Melissa is incurring including ongoing treatments, labs, and regular scans. Additionally, we hope to raise enough to help with her family’s needs as she undergoes vigorous treatment. ALL proceeds will go directly to the McFadden family to help with copays, meals, medical bills & whatever will help them fight this devastating disease.
Thank you for reading this, and for considering helping to support a truly wonderful family (and our dear friends) through this arduous journey. Every ounce of love and positivity & any contributions are appreciated immeasurably.
Edited to add (05/20/24):
I have never run a gofundme before, so I thank you for bearing with me while I fine tune things until I’ve got this figured out! -C
Melissa’s Linktree where you can find her socials & other ways to contribute:
https://linktr.ee/mylifessopeachy
Melissa McFadden was diagnosed with HER2+ Breast Cancer in 2021. I’ll try to keep this part succinct, as many of you have followed as she has shared updates of her fight, her journey, in her own words along the way. She has undergone surgery, chemo, radiation, more radiation, more surgery. Overall, she has worked her ass off to kick this cancer’s ass.
For those of you who don’t know Melissa personally, she is a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, team mom & coach, PTO president, philanthropist & awareness advocate, among so many other things I can’t even think of now. She and her husband, Dave, share 3 extraordinarily awesome kids together; Ian, Isla & August. Her family is her world, and I mean it sincerely when I say I can’t think of a more giving, beautiful human.
A year after entering remission & being free of any evidence of active disease, it was discovered that the breast cancer had metastisized to her brain. Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is Stage IV Breast Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (such as brain, liver, lungs or bones) and is a chronic condition that will be a part of the patient’s life for the rest of their life. Although there is no cure, Stage IV is not a death sentence and scientific advances are being made every day. Melissa is determined and is working incredibly hard to stay positive and fight for the shot that her doctors know she has. While hearing this news can be scary— we would greatly appreciate communications of success stories, positivity and hope.
So, it is time to fight. Melissa is entering a clinical trial and will be having surgery Tuesday after a month of battling with the nightmare that health insurance can sometimes be. I will link to her updates so that she can tell the rest of her story in her own words; I only wish to support her, not speak for her.
I have created this fundraiser with the confidence that we can surround and support the McFaddens with as much as possible during this unfathomable battle. No amount is too small. Even $5 or $10 can go a long way in a combined effort to help care for Melissa and her beautiful family. If you are personally unable to contribute, please consider sharing her story with others. The funds raised will be used first and foremost to help cover the medical expenses not covered by insurance that Melissa is incurring including ongoing treatments, labs, and regular scans. Additionally, we hope to raise enough to help with her family’s needs as she undergoes vigorous treatment. ALL proceeds will go directly to the McFadden family to help with copays, meals, medical bills & whatever will help them fight this devastating disease.
Thank you for reading this, and for considering helping to support a truly wonderful family (and our dear friends) through this arduous journey. Every ounce of love and positivity & any contributions are appreciated immeasurably.
Edited to add (05/20/24):
I have never run a gofundme before, so I thank you for bearing with me while I fine tune things until I’ve got this figured out! -C
Melissa’s Linktree where you can find her socials & other ways to contribute:
https://linktr.ee/mylifessopeachy
Co-organizers (3)
Courtney Green
Organizer
Elgin, IL
Melissa Luiz
Beneficiary
Dave McFadden
Co-organizer