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Melanoma Patient Pushes Through Struggles

September 13, 2021

Unhappy New Year

Sabrina lives with her husband and two children. She made the choice to homeschool her children. This choice proved prudent when the COVID-19 pandemic shut schools down nationwide in 2020. When 2021 came around, Sabrina and her family hoped that the new year would be better.  

But in early January of 2021, Sabrina was diagnosed with metastatic uveal melanoma. The cancer started in her eyes, and spread to her liver. An otherwise happy new year had become the exact opposite. 

When Pushed Down...

Sabrina’s family knows she’s not the kind to give up in the face of struggle. Even though the cancer was incurable, doctors could stop it from spreading to any other parts of her body. “I have to receive treatment every four weeks to stabilize the tumors,” said Sabrina, “until a cure is found.” 


And that wasn’t all. Sabrina’s best option for treatment was in Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, or SKCC, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s more than 650 miles away from her home in Chattanooga, Tennessee – and that’s just going one way. “SKCC is one of the few centers that can help,” said Sabrina. But she couldn’t afford multiple long-distance round trips. 



Cancer was pushing her down. And the way things were going, it looked like it would be impossible to get back up. 


...She Pushed Through

That was when Sabrina found out about Mercy Medical Angels. Mercy Medical Angels arranged round-trip flights on American Airlines for Sabrina and her husband. And the best part was, the flights were free. “Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines removed loads of stress and a huge financial burden,” said Sabrina, “and they helped us make the best of this dire situation.” 



She says a main reason she pushes through is hope. “I hope to see our children grow up, graduate, get married, and one day provide me with grandchildren,” said Sabrina. “I will not give up!” 


"Truly, I Cannot Thank You Enough..."

As treatment continues, Sabrina trusts that Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines will continue to help. She is still fighting a hard battle, but she does not fight alone.


“Truly, I cannot thank you enough for what you do. I honestly do not know what I would do without Mercy Medical Angels – my family and I extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!” 

 

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