MELISSA HACKENY AGE 24
The Daily Grotto is seeking urgent prayer from all visitors this week. Please take a moment to learn more about this precious young woman who is in desperate need of many prayers....
Melissa lives in Seneca Falls, NY with her mother Patti, and was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 when she was still in nursing school. The diagnosis was Non-Hodgkin's anaplastic large t-cell lymphoma.
As this is the third recurrence of the cancer, Melissa is now in need of a BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT TO SAVE HER LIFE. There are three possible donors or stem cells may be used from an umbilical cord.
Currently, her cancer has not responded to chemotherapy, and is now receiving mega-doses of chemo. This is being done to contain her cancer enough so that she can have the transplant. YOUR PRAYERS ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED!
Melissa is a very loving, outgoing young woman who puts others' needs above her own. She has a beautiful smile that warms the heart. These qualities have touched many lives; especially the elderly she cared for when working in a nursing home a few years ago. Her family and friends firmly believe that she would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need.
NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO HELP HER.
Would you please join me in praying for Melissa? If you are a blogger, please consider linking this post on your blog to reach more prayer partners around the world. Let us join our hands together in prayer for Melissa.
A powerful intercessor of cancer victims is St. Peregrine. Once a fervent anti-Catholic, this great saint later became a brother in the Order of Servants of Mary. At sixty years old, St. Peregrine was diagnosed with cancer of the leg. The night before he was to have his leg amputated; he prayed for a miracle. The Lord had heard his prayer and healed him. LET US TOO PRAY FOR A MIRACLE FOR MELISSA.
CHAPLET OF SAINT PEREGRINE
O Saint Peregrine, you have been called "The Wonder Worker" because the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust you ( Melissa). Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall praise God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.
Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys, and three Glory be's.
Friends, as we begin our Lenten journey this upcoming Ash Wednesday; let us remember Melissa, her family and friends as they help her in spirit and prayer- carry this heavy cross. Melissa's parents, siblings and friends all love her very much. May the good Lord hear and answer our prayers for a miracle. May Our Lady be a daily guide and protector in all those that surround Melissa in love. Let us consecrate Melissa's eyes, ears, heart etc.. to the loving mantle of her Heavenly Mother.
Thank you friends for taking the time to join me in prayer. And thank you to my friend Kim Burke (who also lives in Seneca Falls) for bringing me this much needed prayer intention. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU MELISSA!
To learn more about Saint Peregrine go to Catholic forum and The Grotto .
Have a Blessed Day!
Melissa you are my very dear and best friend. You are so strong and I love you so much. You fight so hard and I'm here fighting with you every step of the way. Im always here for you every second and I pray every day for you. We will get throught yhis. Everyone is here for you and fighting with you. I love you Mel!!!
Posted by: Nicole Fairweather | February 03, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Adding a link to both blogs Kathy. I hope we get the miracle we need.
Posted by: Therese | February 03, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Consider it done.
Posted by: Tom | February 03, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Kathy, I have posted your prayer request link at the One Came Back prayer request blog
http://onecameback.blogspot.com/2008/02/prayer-request-for-melissa-h.html
Posted by: Esther | February 04, 2008 at 01:32 AM
My heart goes out to Melissa,I have prayed the above prayer and will continue to make the intention for Melissa's recovery from cancer, one of my daily lenten prayers.
ukok, England
Posted by: ukok | February 04, 2008 at 02:10 AM
I will ' bring' Melissa with me to Mass this evening, prayers assured.
Posted by: Ann | February 04, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Melissa, we're praying for you at A crocus in the valley. God's peace be with you.
Posted by: Danette | February 04, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Melissa, my family is pulling for you and you will always be in our thoughts and prayers. We wish the best for you, stay strong.
Posted by: Cathie Rosario | February 04, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I will keep praying for Melissa each morning during Holy Hour. I pray for her salvation and for her health.
Melissa, please continue to pray and remain close to our Lord. Pray the Rosary and go to Confession regularly. I pray that you have been baptized as well. Remain close to our Crucified Lord, who alone gives life to the world.
Posted by: Seminarian Matthew | February 04, 2008 at 10:03 AM
You are in my prayers and thoughts melissa.....I know you can fight this,I pray for you everyday and you are such a special person to everyone in your life I know god will listen to us when we pray for you! Keep your head up as high as you can and just tell yourself everyday you are gonna be ok! I love and miss you always! Jesse
Posted by: Jesse | February 04, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Praying for Melissa!!
Posted by: lisa | February 04, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Melissa,
I recently sent u a message on ur myspace telling what a bright,beautiful,strong girl you are. You are! My every prayer is with you.I know your a strong fighter.my heart goes out to you and ur loved one.
Posted by: Pamela D | February 04, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Prayers assured.
Posted by: Pia | February 04, 2008 at 11:49 AM
You are always in my prayers melissa.your a very strong and great person.the lord will protect you hun
Posted by: Ryan Bost | February 04, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Melissa, may you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers continuously. Keep the faith of God and he will guide you. God bless and remember you have so many people on your side who are thinking of you & praying for you.
Posted by: Gretchen | February 04, 2008 at 03:37 PM
You know I love you Mel. Even though I am miles away, I pray for you everyday. You are one of my Best Friends and I am ALWAYS here for you. I am glad that you have Amanda by your side through all of this as I can not be there. Remeber I am only a text, email or a phone call away if you are ever in need of anything. I LOVE YOU GURL!
Posted by: Tiara | February 04, 2008 at 04:01 PM
God Bless and know that you are in my family's thoughts and prayers. Stay strong.
Danielle
Posted by: Danielle | February 04, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Had sent out emails to all friends and family before I left for work today in hope that all would have Melissa in their prayers today!!!
Posted by: Cathy Keller | February 04, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Mel- Your my best friend and you are so strong and I know you can get through this. I love ya and I am always here. Nikki
Posted by: Nikki | February 04, 2008 at 08:30 PM
May Our Lady comfort you and surround you with her loving arms. You are in my prayers. A miracle in the works!
The Keeper of the Keys -
Shelly
Posted by: Shelly | February 04, 2008 at 08:42 PM
When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.
God is with you Melissa, you must believe and trust that he will get you through this.
Posted by: Sara | February 04, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Melissa,
I don't know you, but I learned of you through a friend on the internet. I live fairly local in Romulus and am your age. I want you to know that I am praying for you and passing along your name for other to pray for. You are young and strong and with the power of prayer anything is possible. Have faith in yourself and the Lord. You will be in my thoughts and prayers everyday, I will be praying for your strength to fight every day, never give up because I can tell that you are a person who is loved, someone we need more of in the world. Stay strong and know that everyone is pulling for you!
Posted by: Jen Troutman | February 04, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Always thinking about you Mel. I miss you so much. Stay strong like you ALWAYS do. We have lots of memories and many more to make...Love you and Praying for you.
Posted by: Tricia | February 04, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Praying for Melissa and her family.
Posted by: Episcopollyanna | February 05, 2008 at 03:01 PM