My name is Shana Hilsher. I created this fundraiser for my sister, Angela Melvin, who recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors also found and biopsied a suspicious tumor in her lung, and the results will be back soon.

The following is Angela's story, in her own words:

"I wanted a new adventure. Note to self: be SPECIFIC!!!

I was on my way to start my new adventure in Texas/Oklahoma when my world was shattered; I was diagnosed with breast cancer! A wellness visit led to a diagnostic mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy and all of a sudden, I was Stage II Breast Cancer. The cherry on top:       I am triple negative (which means you cannot take medication to kill the cancer - you must use chemo) and have a fun gene mutation known as BARD1.

Let me back up and tell you how I got to my current situation. The last 6 years have been very difficult on me for a myriad of reasons. In 2019, my dad Randy was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and passed within 3 months. Then came Covid, and the loss of my beloved job of 20 years as the Human Resources Director (HRD) of the Wyndham at
Disney in Orlando. I divorced my husband of 24 years and was estranged from my teenage son from Mother's Day 2020 to Mother's Day 2021.

After being unemployed for 6 months, I found another HRD job with a hotel company for 20% less salary. It was one of the worst jobs I had ever had. The whole company
was awash in sexual harassment, from the very top down, and I lasted 51 weeks. I moved back to SC and lived with my wonderful parents for over a year. The next job
only lasted 4 months because it was a terrible fit and not where I wanted to be. I found another HRD job at a hotel and was there for 3 years. It started off great, but quickly
turned into a nightmare. At the end, I was crying multiple times daily and finding ways to often leave early. I was not liked or valued by some of the other executives on my
team and this was new to me. I was used to being respected, appreciated, and loved by my coworkers.
During all of this, I was diagnosed with major clinical depression and anxiety. I started having panic attacks often and, except for work, could not be gone from my apartment longer than 2 hours without horrible anxiety. I also lost my self-confidence and was convinced I was a failure at everything.

I decided my mental health needed a break and took a     3-month leave of absence from the job. The plan was to get out to TX/OK and relax, refresh, and reboot my life. I spent 2 months in El Paso spending time with my stepmother and getting my head straight. I started feeling like myself and knew I truly needed a fresh start. I was going to look for a
job in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, with the goal of living with my sister Shana and her wife Sandie. I was excited and ready for another major change.

I went back to SC for a visit and some doctors' appointments. That's when my new adventure went from a wonderful positive to a horrific negative. As I was on my way out of the state, I quit my job - 1 week later came the diagnosis. Since the initial finding, I have had every test in the book: bone scan, CT scam, Pet scan,
echocardiogram, MRI, genetic testing, and finally, a endobrocho. The last one was due to a flagging from the Pet scan which found the possibility of cancer in my lung. The first biopsy was inconclusive and I am having a second one done. Depending on the results, I may have gone from Stage II to Stage IV.

I am incredibly lucky to have parents that welcomed me back into their home for the next year or so. They are helping me through this process every step of the way. I had planned on getting a job in Texas and had enough in savings to cover me being unemployed for several months. I never in my wildest dreams or nightmares could have
foreseen this turn of events nor prepared for it - emotionally or financially. I am grateful to have COBRA insurance but the cost is steep, as are the medical bills.
Annual deductible $2800 $5600 for 2025 and 2026
Annual Out of Pocket max $5000 $10,000 for 2025 and 2026
Monthly COBRA $775 $1500 for 2025 and

$9300 for 2026 (will be more after new
premium rate in May)

That's an extra $26,400 I was not expecting or planning for.
I am currently waiting to start chemotherapy and am hopeful I can look for some type of job in 2026. I have no idea how I will react to the chemo and feel my job prospects will be limited while undergoing it - for 6 months. Then I have surgery and another recovery process. Needless to say, my days of being a director are not in the cards for at least 8 months of 2026.

I have never been good at asking for help - in any way, shape or form. I try and get through on my own the best I can and just make it work. I have come to the realization
that I cannot do this alone and need lots of help, from lots of people, in lots of ways. I am grateful for ALL of the love, encouragement, support, and prayers I have received
from so many people - family, friends, work friends, and people I do not even know. This has helped me stay positive and work as hard as possible to do everything I can to get through this.

I am hopeful that all of the good I have put out into the world, (all the volunteering, fundraising, and supporting others in need) will come back around my way in my greatest time of need."

As you can see, Angela desperately needs our help. Please give if you can! Every bit helps. Let us lift her up and help her get well. WE ALL LOVE YOU, ANGELA!