Please join me in making a difference in the fight against cancer by supporting me in my athletic and fundraising efforts as I take on this challenge in honor of my aunt, Melissa Bank.
Devoting her life to the art of writing, Melissa immersed herself in the advertising industry by day while reserving her nights and weekends for her literary pursuits. After recovering from both cancer and a serious bike accident in her early thirties, she wrote a best-selling novel - A Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing. Building upon this remarkable achievement, Melissa maintained an output of written works and shared her expertise through teaching, all the while confronting challenges such as writer's block and enduring neurological repercussions from the bike accident.
While she is more formally known as Melissa, to me she was "Missy" or "Mousie," to her I was "Baby Butterfly". She was warm, sharp witted and really funny. While her success did not come easily, her strength and resilience to pursue what she loved was unwavering. She was a woman I deeply admire.
Since my Aunt Melissa passed away in 2022 from lung cancer, I have sought to find ways to honor her memory and celebrate her life. On November 5, 2023, I will be running the TCS New York City Marathon with Team ICRF - whose mission is to support scientists conducting groundbreaking cancer research.
Your contribution, regardless of the amount, will make an impact. I sincerely
appreciate your support for this cause, which holds immense significance for me,
my family, and the cherished circle of friends who loved Melissa. Thank you in
advance for your generosity.
To learn more about my aunt follow the links here -
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/books/melissa-bank-dead.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/08/05/girls-guide-melissa-bank-dead/
https://www.thesmartset.com/slaying-the-cruelty-of-life/
