Vernon woman with brain tumor gives back

VERNON – Being diagnosed with a potentially fatal cancer is a difficult blow at any stage in life, but when the patient is a 30-year-old mother of two young sons the diagnosis seems particularly unfair.

That was the situation Melissa Gobbett found herself in three years ago, but she hasn’t let it stop her from helping others.

“Three years ago Melissa had a seizure in the middle of the night and they eventually diagnosed her with a brain tumor,” explained Melissa’s husband Curtis Gobbett. “It’s called an oligoastrocytoma which is a rare brain tumor.”

She underwent radiation and chemotherapy, and when a friend suggested organizing a fundraiser she jumped at the chance to help others.

“If there is any chance, what so ever, that what she can do can help towards preventing other families or people going through what she has gone through, then it would probably mean the world to her,” said Curtis.

Last year the head shaving fundraiser Melissa and Lindsay James organized, called Heroes Shave It Off, raised over $10,000 for brain cancer research.

Then, earlier this year, Melissa got the difficult news that there are no more treatment options available. In February a doctor gave her three to six months to live.

James is organizing another fundraiser this year and despite everything she is dealing with Melissa wants to be involved.

“Every moment that she can do something to be a part of this she does,” said James. “We talk all the time about what we want to do with events leading up to the main event.”

James said it is important for Melissa to leave a legacy behind for her kids and others.

“She knows she is not the only person going through the struggle with brain cancer. She doesn’t want to see anybody else have to tell their children that they are dying and go through what her and Curtis go through all the time,” said James.

Melissa hopes to be there for the June 18 fundraising event and in the meantime is spending as much time as she can with her husband and sons.

Details of this year’s Heroes Shave It Off fundraiser are available at www.vernonheroes.ca

The money raised is going to the Canadian Cancer Society for brain cancer research.