Melia S.

When Courage Wears a Child’s Name..

There are moments in life that shake the ground beneath us. Moments we don’t see coming.
For Melia, that moment came when she was only 9 years old, a diagnosis no child should ever have to face: cancer. The journey that followed went far beyond the surgeries, hospital stays, rehab sessions, chemotherapies, and scans, it showcased a little girl immense courage, resilience, determination and we realized that we do not know how strong we are until being strong is our only choice.

On November 27, 2023, right after joyful Thanksgiving celebrations, Melia’s life flipped upside down. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a mandarin resting against the brain stem and pushing her cerebellum down into her spine. Less than three days later, she underwent a long and complex successful brain surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

What came next was an exhausting rehabilitation process. Because of the tumor’s location, Melia lost all her balance, had double vision and had to relearn how to walk and use the entire left side of her body, being left-handed she had to learn to become right handed.

It wasn’t easy, but she faced each day with hard work and, most of all, a contagious smile. She earned every bit of progress and made it home just in time for Christmas, even though her rehab journey was far from over.

We had hoped the nightmare was behind us, but on February 28, 2024, her first follow-up scan revealed the tumor had grown back and required a new course of treatment.

Just two days after her 10th birthday, Melia had her first chemotherapy treatment. The chemo hit her hard — harder than we expected — but she fought the fight of her life to endure the effects. When she began to lose her beautiful long hairs, she made the brave and selfless decision to cut them and shaved her head to donate to a charity to help other children facing similar battles. Throughout her journey, despite everything she was going through, Melia never stopped caring for others. Her compassion, her courage, her strength and most of all her spirit inspired everyone around her.

She also developed strong bonds with her medical team, relationships built on trust and admiration. Her rehab therapists, nurses, and doctors became more than caregivers; they became a source of motivation for her, and part of her extended family.

Despite the challenges of chemotherapy, Melia continued attending school as often as she could. Her determination and appetite to learn never wavered. She successfully completed her 4th and 5th grade and was honored with the Barbara Altman Award, a recognition of her perseverance, positivity, and academic success.

During her chemotherapy journey, several nonprofit organizations stepped in to offer Melia unforgettable experiences that lifted her spirits and reminded her she was never alone. One of the most magical moments came when she was invited to see her idol, Taylor Swift, live in concert. It was a dream come true, a night she cherished deeply, filled with music and joy.

On April 18, 2025, Melia finally rang THE BELL, marking the end of her chemotherapy treatment. Her scans now show no visible tumor, though she will continue to have regular monitoring until she turns 24.

Chemotherapy delayed her rehabilitation progress, but now that its behind her, she can focus fully on healing, regaining control of her body and rebuilding strength. We already see impressive strides.

Melia is a true warrior. A shining example of courage. A reminder that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, love, strength, and determination can light the way.