Eternal friendship:

How do you describe someone you’ve known for most of your life? Someone who’s always been there. Someone you grew up with, shared everything with, and still have the best fun with — because you can always be yourself around her?  Someone who’s genuinely interested in people. I experienced that quality early on, when I felt lonely as a child.

At exactly the right time, Mel — yes, that’s the nickname I still use — came into my life. Melissa, who didn’t have an easy time herself as a teenager, was the person I could turn to when I was struggling.
She didn’t just listen; she asked genuinely thoughtful questions. She taught me not to give up, but to link goals to my failures or weak moments.

Twenty-six years later, she still gives me insights — about how to deal with people or face life’s setbacks. She probably doesn’t even realize it, but she always knows how to ask the right questions. We’ve spent countless nights having what we called our “psychological talks.”

Melissa questions many things, but in a way that makes you want to learn from everything. We must always keep moving forward, always stay curious. And when life got tough or I was emotionally drained, there was only one person I’d call. Whether it was a financial setback, a breakup, or me being tangled up with myself — if she knew I needed her, she dropped everything or told me to come over immediately, no matter what she was doing at the time.

Of course, we’ve also had so many wonderful, memorable moments over the years — laughing until we cried, with each other, with others, or just at life itself. She’s a constant in my life. And even if we don’t see each other all the time, we always find our way back to one another. And when we do, we talk for hours on end.

What’s one of the most remarkable traits Melissa has? That she somehow channels her huge capacity for love into caring for children and animals. She’s always had animals around her — I’ve never known her without dogs. And no, not purebreds or puppies — she always finds dogs who need help, physically or emotionally. And with endless patience, she turns them into gentle companions, no matter their background.

But the question I can’t answer now is: how much suffering can one person endure? Mel has always been someone who liked to take control of her own life. Someone who helps others without ever asking for anything in return. But her illness has now put her in a position where she needs help herself. Because that deep love of life she’s always had — it’s still there. And that’s why she needs help: the surgery she urgently needs is incredibly expensive.

So I’m asking for your help, because every little bit counts, and together we can achieve something big. If Melissa can’t receive the medical care she so desperately needs, it would be heartbreaking for someone who has always valued life so deeply. Please, listen to your heart and donate — so she can live a dignified life again.

I would hate to have to lose my friend at this age already, knowing that there is a solution but that our healthcare system is failing in the case of Melissa and many others. Therefore, it depends on your donations so that I can have my “old” friend back again, enjoying life as she has always been strong in it.

It’s simply not fair that people like Melissa have to rely on donations just to have a chance at life. But reality teaches us that life isn’t fair, sadly. So please donate today, so Melissa can take back control of her own fate and get the help she needs. Every cent brings her one step closer to her goal. Let’s make sure Melissa gets better — together!

– Babsie V.M.

Do you have a Melissa? I do…

No, she’s not my girlfriend — she’s a friend who crossed my path through twists and turns in life. And yes, she stayed — following my adventures as I followed hers. Her loves, her big wish to have children, her moments of joy but also her hardships. Not a single call went by without us swapping stories — usually laughing about whatever happened to us — but always ending the call with a good feeling. She cares — even for people who’ve disappointed her — simply because that’s who she is !
And no, we were never lovers, I hear you thinking. Well, we both considered it at one point, I’ll admit that, but I think our friendship was too precious. Eventually, life took us each our own way.

I’ve often wondered how such a beautiful woman — with such a radiant smile and sparkling eyes — could endure so much hardship. I’ve known many people with big struggles, but someone with so much misfortune at once? No, that’s rare. Her illness is something extraordinarily cruel.

It was like a bolt from the blue when Melissa told me she was seriously ill. I admit, the story sounded so extreme and unbelievable that I first thought she’d had a drink… But sadly, it was all bitter truth.
And still, she stayed strong — head held high, telling the story at first without tears. But you know what? They come eventually, because despair leads to tears — even Melissa isn’t strong enough to hold them back forever.

She explained everything to me so clearly, like a seasoned doctor — but inside, I was boiling with emotion. I could barely process what she was saying. I was in shock. As a Ghent local, you could say I was “struck by the Lamb of God” — and we all know what that means here.
Man, I was so shaken that I drove straight through a red light at one of the busiest intersections in town — not out of carelessness, but because I was completely overwhelmed. And later, the tears came.
Melissa, goddamn it…
You’re helpless, hopeless, broken with grief — and terrified.

She’s left at the mercy of doctors and science who, in Belgium, can’t even help her due to lack of expertise.
Worse still, she endures immense pain — the gradual failure of bodily functions and senses — to the point where even our weekly phone calls are no longer possible. Lying flat on her back is the only position that makes the pain somewhat bearable. No more work, no more household chores, no long walks with her dog, no fun outings — none of it.

Her only chance to survive is an expensive surgery abroad.
And if you ask whether I’ll support her in that journey — yes, absolutely.
A “crowdsurfing,” or whatever they call it these days?
The press? Who? What? Where? I have no idea. I’ve lost my bearings — north, south, east, west.

The only thing I do know is that if everyone donated something, we could save her. And maybe those with broader shoulders could give a little more. Because the world needs her — there are too few people like Melissa. Everyone deserves a Melissa in their life. The world would be a better place with more like her. And I’m lucky enough to have found one. Someone up there must’ve chosen me to have her as my best friend.

– Rico D.

Dear friends,

I’d like to tell you a bit about my brave friend, Melissa. I’ve known her for years as the lovely person I could talk to for hours — often until late into the night. The kind friend who always had a listening ear. I think back fondly to those times, when we could never run out of things to talk about — about every aspect of life.

Melissa has a heart of gold, but that heart is under heavy strain. She suffers from severe medical conditions: CCI–AAI. So many fun things we planned to do, but haven’t been able to for over two years now — a trip to the seaside, a dinner out, a walk with the dogs, some shopping… Things that most people take for granted, Melissa can no longer do at her young age. Every day is dominated by the looming shadow of her illness, and her desperate search for a solution.

She wants to fight. She wants to enjoy life again with her close friends and her dogs. She still has so many dreams — to live meaningfully, to make a difference for others — but the terrible truth is that her body is failing her. Without a specialized surgery abroad, it’s only a matter of time before she loses all mobility and her quality of life drops to zero.

Melissa has already shown incredible courage and perseverance. But she can’t do this alone. The harsh reality is that this essential surgery costs money. It’s deeply frustrating for her to know that her conditions are treatable, that her quality of life could improve dramatically — but that the treatment is out of reach. Belgian health insurance does not reimburse planned treatments abroad, and the surgery she needs is so complex that only a handful of specialists worldwide can perform it — none of them in Belgium.

This is my heartfelt plea: help Melissa fight this battle. She absolutely does not deserve this. The thought that this might be it — that her life will never improve from here — is unbearable. Please, help us give this beautiful young woman a chance to rebuild her life. Every contribution is a step forward.

Melissa truly needs help — from many people together or from generous donors — just to have hope for a future again, for chances and happiness. Everyone who knows her knows she deserves that chance

– Veerle VL

Dearest people,

My best friend Melissa, 42 years young and from the Ghent area, is trapped in a terrible situation

It’s long past time that people with rare diseases receive recognition and funding! In my opinion, it’s a disgrace how they’re left behind — especially when medical help is available abroad. And even though Melissa is properly insured in Belgium, she gets no coverage at all.

Melissa has always been a pillar of support for everyone around her. She’s always been warm, spontaneous, full of humor, and has an incredible will to keep going.

She was always there for me and everyone she cared about — always cheerful, caring, making us feel welcome, offering advice and comfort like a true “mother hen.” Naturally, that came with her deep wish to have children — a dream she’s had to give up because of her condition, which is heartbreaking for her.

She also has a huge heart for animals, from whom she often draws comfort — it’s one of her most beautiful traits. She used to walk shelter dogs whenever she could. She donated to local shelters every year and even paid vet bills for animals in need more than once. In short, she’s a treasure. It breaks my heart to see her life stand still, deteriorating, missing out on so many things I so badly wish she could still enjoy.

I think of her often — lying sick in bed — and of the good times we used to have: enjoying the small things in life, endless chatting, laughing at our own jokes, being silly together, singing loudly to a fun song on the radio, and sharing stories after a night out. I want that back so badly.

Melissa urgently needs this life-saving surgery.
Help her regain a dignified, hopeful future.

She needs help. Now.
Every donation, no matter how small, makes a world of difference.
Every gift is literally a step toward life.
Toward hope.
Toward a future.

Please give what you can. Share this if you can’t donate yourself. Help us give her life back.

With all my heart,
Nicky D.S

If you had to list the qualities that make someone a beautiful human being — honest, sincere, strong, loving — would those come to mind?

With a wholehearted “yes,” the question is already answered — why you should support this beautiful woman, who is now fighting her battle in her own brave way.

You shouldn’t hesitate. Just do it — for who she is, and to give a future to the amazing person that Melissa is.

It doesn’t take many words to convince you to do the right thing. She deserves your support simply because of who she is.    

If you’ve met her, you know my words reflect reality. If you haven’t, then trust me. I write this from the heart, sincerely and with full conviction.

Texts don’t always need to be long. Doing good doesn’t have to take long either.

So do it now — and use every opportunity to help Melissa in her fight to become the woman she deserves to be again.

– Johan M.