Melissa's Breast Cancer Fight
Donation protected
On January 14, 2015, I found out that my big sister, Melissa, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This came as a total shock to our entire family and we are still learning more about her diagnosis and treatment plan. What we do know is that her prognosis is really positive and our family has no doubt she will come through this fight stronger than ever. With that said, the road ahead over the next few months will definitely be a challenge.
Melissa is scheduled to undergo a full double mastectomy on February 11. She will undergo the first part of her breast reconstruction surgery on that same day, with a follow up reconstruction surgery later this year. The medical treatment plan for her cancer, which may include chemo, radiation or other medications, will be determined based on the findings during her surgery on February 11.
The emotional and financial burden of surviving breast cancer is a challenge (to say the least) at any stage of life, but at only 27 years old it somehow seems even more unfair that Melissa is going through this right now (only ~2% of breast cancer patients are under 30). Melissa is the most fun-loving, caring, funny, neurotically-organized, best-cake-baking, pitbull-loving, bravest, smartest and all around greatest human that I know and I am sure you all agree that Melissa deserves and needs our love and support now more than ever.
This is where you and this fund come in. The medical bills continue to add up and we are reaching out to our amazing and supportive network of family and friends to help, in any and every, shape or form. Any donation is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to Melissa during the next few months.
A few examples of what the funds raised through this site will be used for:
-Surgery and Reconstruction
-Medical treatment costs (chemo, radiation, other medications, as needed)
-Any and all procedures necessary to help protect Melissa’s fertility (from the harms and toxicity of chemotherapy)
-Bills and expenses that will add up while Melissa is out of work
-Any other unanticipated costs that come along with this fight
Please also note that any funds collected that Melissa does not end up needing to cover the costs outlined above will be promptly donated to causes that help the other women and men bravely battling cancer around the country.
Thank you all for reading and considering Melissa’s road ahead.
For more information/updates on Melissa's treatment please visit her Caring Bridge site below:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melissascancerfight
Melissa is scheduled to undergo a full double mastectomy on February 11. She will undergo the first part of her breast reconstruction surgery on that same day, with a follow up reconstruction surgery later this year. The medical treatment plan for her cancer, which may include chemo, radiation or other medications, will be determined based on the findings during her surgery on February 11.
The emotional and financial burden of surviving breast cancer is a challenge (to say the least) at any stage of life, but at only 27 years old it somehow seems even more unfair that Melissa is going through this right now (only ~2% of breast cancer patients are under 30). Melissa is the most fun-loving, caring, funny, neurotically-organized, best-cake-baking, pitbull-loving, bravest, smartest and all around greatest human that I know and I am sure you all agree that Melissa deserves and needs our love and support now more than ever.
This is where you and this fund come in. The medical bills continue to add up and we are reaching out to our amazing and supportive network of family and friends to help, in any and every, shape or form. Any donation is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to Melissa during the next few months.
A few examples of what the funds raised through this site will be used for:
-Surgery and Reconstruction
-Medical treatment costs (chemo, radiation, other medications, as needed)
-Any and all procedures necessary to help protect Melissa’s fertility (from the harms and toxicity of chemotherapy)
-Bills and expenses that will add up while Melissa is out of work
-Any other unanticipated costs that come along with this fight
Please also note that any funds collected that Melissa does not end up needing to cover the costs outlined above will be promptly donated to causes that help the other women and men bravely battling cancer around the country.
Thank you all for reading and considering Melissa’s road ahead.
For more information/updates on Melissa's treatment please visit her Caring Bridge site below:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melissascancerfight
Organizer
Melissa Elena Stites
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC