Melissa Rose Kradin lived her life like any typical 5th grade girl - spending time with her family and friends, participating in sports, especially her favorite, golf; riding her bike, reading, listening to the latest Top 40 hits, dancing. She was outgoing and articulate and approached life with a sense of humor, laughter and her beautiful smile. She truly enjoyed life.

Then, in April 1997, Melissa’s world and that of her family changed dramatically. First, Melissa complained of back pain, and then she began limping. An initial x-ray did not show anything out of the ordinary. A follow up MRI revealed the unimaginable: a rare and malignant brain tumor. So began an 18-month journey filled with grueling treatments and periods of both recovery and relapse.

During this time Melissa endured the horror of the disease with incredible strength, maturity, and dignity. “I’m not afraid . . . “, she assured her family. One Halloween (one of her favorite holidays), while recovering in the ICU from an intense treatment, Melissa’s sense of humor won over the entire staff, as she borrowed a lab coat and stethoscope to dress up as one of them. Each day, she continued to look on the bright side and held her head high. Her medical team simply adored her. However, despite their tremendous efforts and her unwavering courage, Melissa lost her battle with cancer, just two months after her 12th birthday.

Melissa’s parents, Rick and Audrey, knew they had to find a way to carry on Melissa’s courageous spirit and help other families facing similar circumstances. In honor of their beloved daughter, Rick and Audrey established The Melissa Rose Kradin Foundation. For over 10 years, the foundation has given generously to the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a 200 member national hospital association whose members represent the top cancer researchers in the nation. And 2008 saw the dedication of the Melissa Rose Kradin Nurses’ Station in the new, state-of-the art pediatric bone marrow transplant unit at Tufts Medical Center Floating Hospital for Children . . . ensuring that Melissa’s legacy of unparalleled courage lives on.