From Alpine Ontario's Website

Melodina Herman 1991 -2009

Melodina Herman passed away Saturday, January 10th at 10:00pm, three years to the hour after she was first admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She had a three-year fight with cancer, HLH and a compromised immune system. Melodina is an inspiration and a hero to people all over the world. Her struggle is truly epic. She taught all of us so much in so many ways. The primary focus of her life was ski racing. Like many young people, she hoped one day to represent Canada at the Olympics. During her career, Mel raced for Chicopee, Caledon and the Huron Alpine Development Team. She raced in both Canada and the US.

Mel was admitted to Sick Kids following a high fever that became apparent between runs on a Thursday at the first K2 Individual race of the 2007 season. She did complete her second run. Her doctor was not available until the following Monday so Melodina trained on Friday and Saturday. Her coach told her to rest Sunday as she appeared tired. She went to the doctor Monday and had tests done. Tuesday morning she wrote a math exam and by the afternoon was rushed to Headwaters Hospital and then to the Hospital for Sick Children by ambulance.

During that first winter, Melodina could not race so she took courses and became certified with both the CSCF and the CSIA. She did this while on medication that hurt her performance. She was in a severely weakened condition. She went on to train in Karate, receiving a hairline fracture in her leg from a kick because both the drugs and the disease weakened her bones. Throughout that year she maintained her position as an honor student.

By October she was back race training in Switzerland with HADT. She also achieved her Black Belt in Karate from the Technical Director for the world in her type of Karate. On his instruction she taught new technical Karate moves to a 5th Dan Black Belt and others in India in November and returned to Canada to train and race in her first (and only) FIS season.

Melodina’s goal for the 2007 season was to lower her FIS points, be on the podium once in a J race and improve technically. She achieved each of these goals. Tuesday February 12th blood tests at Sick Kids showed that once again both her red and white blood cells were severely compromised. Her immune system and her energy level were deteriorating. She was on the podium in J races each of the next two days. Her technical abilities were demonstrated in April that year while on a ski vacation to Alberta. Mel had a broken rib due to her brittle bones, yet skied well on all steeps, bumps and all terrain through a vast variety of conditions, from ice to powder. She had fun. It was the last time she skied.

By the fall of 2007, Melodina needed an emergency splenectomy and regular intense Chemotherapy treatment. She had a stem cell bone marrow transplant on February 7th 2008. Since that time, she was only out of the hospital for 10 days. While in the hospital, she inspired many all over the world with her positive attitude. She never gave up her hopes and dreams. The possibility of getting back on skis this winter helped keep her going. In the end, infections and multiple organ deterioration were too much and she passed away peacefully at the hospital.

Mel’s spirit, attitude and outlook can be summed up in her own words “I am so grateful. I'm so grateful I had cancer. It taught me so much about myself. I learned that I am so much stronger than I ever knew I could be.”
Mel’s family would like to thank everyone in the ski community for the extraordinary amount of support Mel has received from many, many people. Your prayers, wishes, and other efforts have been a great source of strength and encouragement to Mel and her family. You will never be forgotten. Special mention and gratitude goes out to Kelly Vanderbeek for her unfailing support and encouragement. Kelly kept in constant contact with Mel and was a source of strength, hope and inspiration for her. Also, while too numerous to mention individually, coaches, racers and their families were constantly supportive and encouraging to Mel. Thanks go to each and everyone.

Mel’s father has been writing a blog with Melodina's story. Mel would have been 18 on January 31st. Her short life was truly remarkable and touched many people (see the blog at http://teenwithcancer.blogspot.com). Mel wished to have an 18th birthday party which was also a fundraiser for The Sick Kids Foundation. The Sick Kids Foundation is the largest provider of funds for research into childhood diseases in Canada. In keeping with her wishes there will be a celebration of her life on January 31st with a silent auction to benefit the Foundation. Those who wish may also donate to the Foundation by clicking on Mel's Tribute Page www.melodinatribute.org.

Celebration of Life

Melodina loved life. She asked that, should she die, we not hold a funeral or a memorial but she did agree to have all of us celebrate her life. In addition, Melodina was planning her 18th birthday party to be a fundraiser for the Sick Kids Foundation.

In keeping with Melodina's wishes and our needs we are holding a Celebration of Melodina's Life on what would have been her 18th birthday, Saturday, January 31st. It will be at St. George Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo, Ontario between 2:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon. Everyone who has been touched by Melodina and her life in any way is welcome.

Because of Melodina's wish to hold a fundraiser at her birthday party there will be a silent auction to raise money for the Sick Kids Foundation at the Celebration. You will find indications of the importance Melodina placed on the work of the Foundation elsewhere in this Blog. You may also wish to donate to the Foundation in Melodina's memory. You can do so on Mel's Tribute page on the Sick Kids Foundation website by clicking here.

We know from the kind and inspirational e-mails that we have received this week that Melodina touched many lives, some who knew her and many who had just heard her story. If Melodina has touched your life we would be honoured to see you again or meet you for the first time. Please come, if you can, to the celebration of her life.

The Passing of a Hero

Melodina Herman passed away yesterday, Saturday January 10th at 10:00pm three years to the day after she was first admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She had a three year fight with cancer and a compromised immune system. Melodina is an inspiration and a hero to people all over the world. Her struggle is truly epic. She taught all of us so much in so many ways. Her mother and I, her sisters and her niece, nephew and brother in law, her aunts and uncles and all who knew her and gathered their own strength through her great dynamic personality will miss her dearly.

Melodina is pain free now. While she was alive Melodina did everything she could for the Sick Kids Foundation. The Sick Kids Foundation is the largest provider of funds for research into childhood diseases in Canada. This institution was near and dear to Melodina's heart. If anyone feels moved to give or donate I know Melodina would want you to support the Foundation http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/. Please feel free to to donate in Melodina's name.

I would like to thank everyone for the extraordinary amount of support Melodina has received from people of varying backgrounds, cultures and religions all over the world. Your prayers, wishes, and other efforts have been a great source of strength and encouragement to Melodina and her family. You will never be forgotten. You are the reason I believe that we can, with God's help, build a better world of Peace and Love and Unity. Thank you for your inspiration.

I will try to keep updating my blog with Melodina's story in the hope and faith that she can continue to inspire.