Melinda stands strong with her Boots on the Ground! Stomping cancer over again and again while God carries her through it.
My name is Kelie Johnson-VanHorn, and I am Melinda’s daughter-in-law. I’m creating this fundraiser for my mother-in-law, Melinda, and my wife, Crystal, as they walk through one of the hardest battles our family has ever faced.
Life has a way of testing even the strongest among us, and Melinda is the true definition of strength, faith, and resilience. Through every battle she has faced, she has kept her boots on the ground—standing firm in her faith while God carries her through each and every storm.
Melinda was first diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago. She fought hard and underwent radiation treatment that successfully cleared the cancer from her lung. Not long after, the cancer returned—this time in her lymph nodes. She went through 30 rounds of radiation along with chemotherapy, and once again, she showed incredible strength as the cancer responded to treatment.
Unfortunately, her battle is not over.
The cancer has now spread to her left femur and into her bone marrow, making it stage 4 as it continues to metastasize. She has just completed 10 more rounds of radiation, and we are currently waiting and praying for positive results. While we remain hopeful and strong, with the cancer becoming more aggressive, we truly don’t know what the future holds.
Despite everything placed in front of her, Melinda continues to fight with a courage most of us can only imagine. This is not her first battle, yet she faces it again with the same determination, grace, and unwavering belief that she will overcome.
Melinda and her daughter, Crystal, are the kind of people who truly care about others. When you need someone, they are the ones who show up. They light up a room and make this world better simply by being in it. They are strong, funny, caring, headstrong, stubborn, and independent women who love life and the people around them. They are genuine, empathetic souls who have always given so much of themselves to others.
Even while going through so much, they continue to stay positive. They show up for others with a sweet spirit, choosing to live each day in the moment and make the most of every day they are given. Melinda chooses joy—even on the hardest days.
Since the cancer returned to her lymph nodes in September, Crystal has stepped away from work to care for her mom full-time. She was previously on short-term disability, but those benefits have now ended. Despite everything, life’s responsibilities haven’t stopped—bills continue to pile up, and the financial strain grows heavier each day.
Crystal is doing everything she can to ensure her mom gets to appointments, receives the care she needs, and is never alone in this fight. But without an income, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with everyday expenses, on top of the added costs that come with ongoing medical care.
The financial burden of treatment, medical bills, and daily living expenses can be overwhelming. Our goal is to ease that burden so Melinda can focus on what truly matters—healing, fighting, and spending time with the people she loves.
All funds raised will go directly to Crystal and Melinda to help cover bills, daily expenses, and the ongoing costs of care during this difficult journey.
Any donation, no matter the amount, will make a difference. If you’re unable to give, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping Melinda in your prayers.
Let’s come together and show her she’s not fighting alone. Let’s help keep her boots on the ground while God carries her through.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
