Support Melissa Galt in her fight against cancer

In January this year after ending up in the Emergency Department with excruciating back pain, Melissa was given the shattering news that her back pain was actually a symptom of an aggressive and rare form of incuarable cancer. The cancer Melissa has is called Neuroendocrine Cancer resulting in Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC’s), These are spreading rapidly, affecting her spine and many organs, including her liver. Over the last 5 months Melissa has bravely endured surgery, radiotherapy and two types of chemotherapy. Devastatingly, none of this treatment has been successful in stopping the cancer from spreading so the next step recommended by her oncologist is an unfunded drug (dabrafenib and trametinib). This type of treatment is known to be successful in stopping the mutated BRAF gene (which is what’s causing the aggressiveness of Melissa’s cancer) spreading further. This unfunded cancer treatment comes at a cost of $5,000 a month.

Melissa is an amazing and brave mum of two bright and beautiful young girls (age 9 and 6). She recently married her long-term partner, Scott, and is a dearly, dearly loved daughter, sister and friend. Melissa has been an absolute hero over the last few months dealing with this news and all the pain, surgery, treatment and side effects that have come with it. In true southern style, Melissa doesn’t like to complain and greets everyone with her beaming smile in her ‘no cry zone’. Melissa’s husband Scott has been a great support to her but has had to reduce his hours at work to help out and with Melissa not working finances are tight.

We need to raise money to help them pay for this treatment to buy Melissa as much time as possible with her family as her girls really need their mum. The plan is that this new drug will also enable Melissa to get out and enjoy some fun and adventures with her family and make some magical memories. Nobody is more deserving than Melissa and her amazing wee family.

Many have wanted to know what they can do to support Melissa, Scott and the girls. This is what we can do. We need to help them financially to help cover the cost of this unfunded cancer treatment to give them more time as a family. To give Melissa more time as a mum to her precious girls and be the wonderful friend and loved one she is to so many.