Nicholas, Mom, and I drove to Santa Barbara today and spent the day with Jaynie =) Shopping, beach, Rowan and Maclintock, lunch at Brophy Brothers… some serious gratitude…
So much gratitude, my joy from the day is spilling over into my letter of the day to Oprah.
Dear Oprah,
By the grace of God, I traveled today through Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and over the Cachuma Pass to a sight I will never forget—the crystal clear Pacific Ocean glowing with a light I have never seen before, with all of the Channel Islands lined up in a row. The spectacular sight made me think about how the most important things in life are not things. What I am writing to ask you for is not a thing, but it is certainly spectacular!
Oprah, will you please do a show on childhood cancer?
I am a sixteen year-old, cancer-surviving “soldier” in the Army against childhood cancer. Please know that I am not asking to be on your show. I am asking you to please have a show that will educate your audience that cancer is the #1 disease killing children. 80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer have advanced stages of the disease, compared to 20% in adults. If you would choose to shine your light on childhood cancer, this statistic alone could take a MAJOR tumble!
I think of how many children’s lives you could save with just one show. I think of the magnificent scene I had the blessing of viewing today and I imagine. I imagine all of those children who will never get to see anything like what I just saw today.
My gratitude sets me on fire to change what is and what should not be.
With my appreciation to my producer friends who keep reading my letters,
Melinda
16 year-old author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Melinda Marchiano 
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