Cancer is never easy, and facing a rare cancer brings additional challenges. Limited treatment options often mean traveling great distances for the hope of living longer and spending more time with the people we love. Eye on Grace Foundation travel grant recipient Michelle Felux shares her story of diagnosis, treatment and the role the foundation has played in her journey.

“Living with metastatic ocular melanoma has meant traveling out of state for treatment because there are no specialists where I live. Every three to four weeks for the past two and a half years, I’ve made the journey, often four hours or more by car or train, to receive the care I need.

“The travel has required me to miss work and spend time away from my family. I’ve also had to miss important family, personal, and business events. Along with the side effects of treatment, the frequent travel has placed a significant financial strain on my family.

“The support of the Eye on Grace Foundation has been priceless throughout my ocular melanoma journey. Having my travel costs covered brings an immeasurable sense of relief. Knowing that travel grants are available gives me peace of mind, something that can be difficult to find as a cancer patient. Eye on Grace has made a world of difference for my family and me.

“Cancer is never easy, and facing a rare cancer brings additional challenges. Limited treatment options often mean traveling great distances for the hope of living longer and spending more time with the people we love. Because ocular melanoma is so rare, I often have to explain my disease to friends, family members, and even medical providers. That can be exhausting and isolating.

“I’m doing the best I can on this rare cancer journey, but it can be incredibly challenging. Support in any form, financial assistance, a home-cooked meal, or even a simple text asking how I’m doing, means more than people may realize.

“To the generous donors who support the Eye on Grace Foundation: thank you from every ounce of my being. I have literally cried with relief knowing that my travel costs are covered and that I can continue to seek and receive treatment. The financial burden of cancer is heavy, but your generosity helps lighten that burden in a meaningful way.

Thank you for helping patients like me access the care we need.”