Disclaimer:
I will not add any information to this campaign without Melissa’s permission.
All funds will be delivered directly to her account.
I will be adding updates to the top of the page as I receive them.
UPDATE 3/26/24:
I’ve just received word (and video) that Melissa has rung the cancer free bell! Thank you to all who have donated and helped support her through this time!
Update 01/15/24:
Melissa’s surgery went well and she was back to work the following Monday after her surgery. She’s definitely a tough cookie and a strong fighter!
The surgeon said this:
“The left breast cancer was 2.2 cm in size and intermediate grade with clear margins. One sentinel lymph node was negative for metastasis (Stage IA with good prognosis). The right breast reduction tissue found incidental low grade ductal carcinoma in situ which are cancer cells inside milk ducts (pre cancer) stage 0. However some of the margins are too close and will require removal of more tissue to clear the edges.”
Her next surgery is scheduled for January 26th for the removal of the additional cancer cells.
Update 01/03/24:
Melissa’s surgery to remove the two lymph nodes will be at noon tomorrow on 01/04/24. Please keep her in your thoughts and hope for a speedy recovery! Also, thank you to everyone who has donated! We can do great things when we come together to help others!
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Dana (with our HR department) wrote a beautiful message about Melissa and I’ve asked permission from both Dana and Melissa to add it here:
I’m reaching out with a heartfelt message about our referral coordinator in our Cassat location in Jacksonville, Melissa Wainwright, who has recently been diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer.
As a close-knit family at Island Doctors, we understand the importance of standing by each other during both joyous and challenging times.
Melissa is an integral part of our team, and we want to ensure that she feels the full weight of our support as she embarks on her journey towards recovery.
To assist Melissa during this challenging period, our courier, Alex Cuculiza, has set up a fundraising link where each one of us has the opportunity to contribute to assist Melissa. The funds raised will go towards helping Melissa cover medical expenses and ensure she can focus on her health without the added stress of financial burdens.
Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference.
Let’s come together as a team and show Melissa that she is not alone in this fight. Your generosity and compassion will undoubtedly make a significant impact on her journey to recovery.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and for being a part of the Island Doctors family.
We wish Melissa Wainwright strength, courage, and a speedy recovery!
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Original Message:
This campaign is for Melissa Wainwright who was diagnosed with Stage One Breast Cancer on 12/1/23. She is a hardworking mother to four children and grandmother to seven grandchildren. So, let’s work together to help her through this journey!
She will be undergoing surgery on January 4th to remove two lymph nodes and after her surgery, the doctor will let her know when she will be starting chemotherapy. Her medical bills are adding up quicker than she is able to keep up with them and she is also going to need to take time off from work for her recovery from this surgery. This campaign is to help relieve her of some of the stress caused by the financial burden due to all of the medical bills. I will be adding more information as it becomes available as well as updates.
She had her pre-op appointment on 12/27/23 to get ready for her surgery on January 4th. Her CT scan she had on 12/22/23 showed she has a cyst on her ovary that they are contemplating whether or not they will remove it during her surgery on January 4th. If they decide not to remove the cyst during this surgery, she will have to undergo an additional surgery to remove the cyst.
Currently, her medical bills are around $15,000 and they are rapidly increasing. She also has to worry about her everyday bills as well which, as we all know, do not stop. The amount will be adjusted as necessary as the bills come in.