Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Dear Oprah,
As I write this, nine Golden Canisters of Hope are on their way to you and your producers. There are over 50,000 people hoping, praying, and waiting for your response. Please let your answer be, “Yes!”
Please Oprah, do a show on childhood cancer.
You would think that if children were suffering anywhere, there would be brigades of rescuers who would show up. Yet, the smallest, most vulnerable of our world do not receive this blessing. The naked, ugly truth about childhood cancer is that it is virtually ignored.
I have been “Tapped.” Have you ever felt that God has called you to a mission? You see, I have this gratitude for my life that bubbles over… lives are precious, precious, precious… the love we have been given to share is everything. With this great gift and blessing of my life comes responsibility.
God has spoken to me, “Show me Melinda. Show me your gratitude.”
There is no greater way for me to show Him how Great He is, and how grateful I am, than to do what He has put before me to help children with cancer. Although this is my last letter to you, I will continue to do what is before me with ever-growing passion.
I guess that when you answer the nine Golden Canisters of Hope, this will be the same answer for my Make-A-Wish. Yes, the girl who wished for you to do a show on childhood cancer is me.
Once more, I am not asking to be on the show. I will admit that it would be thrilling beyond my wildest dreams to sit in your audience and watch this show happen. Please give me a bit of notice if you respond positively… I will need to find a sponsor… Kleenex!
Farewell,
Melinda
16 Year-Old Author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Golden Canisters of Hope on their way to HARPO Studios
Melinda Marchiano 
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