Melissa Vosburg was a bright, beautiful, engaging and happy 35 year old; vibrant, happy and full of life. In the fall of 2012, she began to experience ‘migraine’ headaches, which unfortunately run in her family. The migraines increased in frequency and severity over Thanksgiving and approaching Christmas. By Christmas week, it was clearly an issue and at her family’s insistence, she agreed to see the doctor right after the holidays. Christmas was very difficult – her headache was so severe that she stayed in bed most of the morning and when she finally got up, she was so light sensitive that she wore sunglasses in the house. Based on symptoms and family history, he agreed it was likely migraines but scheduled a CT scan just to be sure. The CT revealed swelling and shifting in her brain and she was advised to immediately consult a neurosurgeon. An exam and surgical biopsy followed. December 28, 2012 is the day we all lost our innocence. Melissa was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, The most common—and most aggressive—type of brain cancer. The weeks that followed were full of treatments, consults, a surgery to partially remove the tumors and more treatments. Through it all, Melissa maintained her spirit and an unbelievable courage. Her common saying was “It is what it is” and she refused to dwell on why or show any self-pity. She was, and is, a hero. On February 8th, 2013, Melissa participated in the Orlando Miles for Hope, won a plaque for top 3 fund raiser, spoke and completed the survivor walk. Melissa began chemo and radiation therapy that week. She was SO excited as she couldn’t wait to start fighting back. Her family sat together with her planning a cruise for after her first 6 week round of radiation. She was herself most of the week but by Friday (note from Stephanie - it was Thursday, valentines day, that it got bad bc you guys had to cancel dinner) she was suffering – severe headaches and pressure, she couldn’t eat so couldn’t take her oral meds and was nauseous. Saturday, February 16th, 2013 Melissa’s battle had been fought; she passed into God’s loving arms surrounded by her family. From diagnosis to death, Melissa’s journey was only 50 days. Like so many families, Melissa was unaware of the prevalence of brain cancer. When Melissa heard that it is as common as breast cancer but receives just a fraction of the funding, she asked why. Her family explained that Susan G. Komen’s legacy was remarkable marketing and her pink ribbon had become a global icon. Melissa pondered and said “Then I will become the ‘Susan G. Komen’ of brain cancer.”
This personal experience motivated her family to form Melissa Vosburg, Inc. and the efforts it embodies are her family’s efforts to make that dream a reality. Because she was a lifelong educator, and a believer in the application of innovation to educational techniques, we added the dual goal of supporting educational innovation. When Melissa was young, she dreamed of being a teacher, and everyone always knew she would be one. And she was. After graduating from St. Edwards High School in Elgin, IL, she attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL, graduating with a BA in Education in 1999. She first taught at St. Mary’s in Lake Forest, IL, followed by Grant Academy in Chicago and then Parkwood in Hanover Park, IL. Finally, when she moved to Florida in July 2012 she joined Midway in Sanford, FL. Ever thirsty for a better way, Melissa obtained a Masters in Reading Specialty in 2008 and a second Masters in Educational Leadership in 2011, both from Aurora University. Melissa actually started the direction with Orlando Miles for Hope in 2013. We continued as an informal group of family and friends. Then her family incorporated as a Florida not-for-profit company on July 23, 2014.
