On December 18, 1993 The most beautiful baby girl, Margaret Grace Sanders, came into this world and changed my life forever. She would become my Goddaughter. She would become MY SUNSHINE. She would become a pillar of strength. She would become a cancer survivor. She would become my student as I mentored her and She would become my teacher. She would become my flower girl, a friend with many friends, a dancer, a singer and a young woman.
She would become MY HEART.

 Being Meg’s Godmother is a joy and I am so grateful to Scott and Carrie for asking me to take on this role in her life. We were inseparable while she was growing up, and many times we shared the same thoughts and sense of humor. When She was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 33 months, I knew that my experiences with doctors and hospitals would be helpful to her and the family. I knew that I could show Meg how to be brave and still be a kid while she was sick. She, in turn, ended up teaching me more. Her bravery and resilience became a model for me to aspire to. She would say to me, “ Chin up, big girl” and wipe away my tears.  

I am so proud of the young woman that Meg has become; being accepted into Ohio University, wanting to become a child-life specialist to be a light in the lives of children battling life-threatening illnesses, and having a wonderful circle of friends around her who admire her sparkle and kind heart.

Happy Birthday my Sunshine, my Nutmeg, My Bunny Bun-Bun, my little Meg-A Moo, Mooskie,  and my HEART.  Thank you for 18 years of joy beyond imagination. I love you forever J

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The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous complaint in April 2011 indicating that Martha A. Nicholas was falsely claiming to have cancer and as a result received financial support to address medical expenses and other financial hardships related to her illness.
After unsuccessful attempts to speak with Martha Nicholas regarding this complaint, Sheriff’s Office Investigators began to evaluate the public announcements regarding her illness and seek the appropriate medical records to determine the validity of the complaint. Our investigation revealed no evidence of any cancer treatment at any medical facility that had been publicly identified by Martha Nicholas during her many public appearances and testimonials. Investigators also found evidence of individuals that had given money to Martha Nicholas due to her proclaimed medical condition.
The findings of the investigation were reviewed by the Hanover Commonwealth’s Attorney, Trip Chalkley, and a determination was made to charge Martha Nicholas with two counts of misdemeanor obtain money by false pretenses. Those charges were obtained and Martha Nicholas was arrested on 12/7/2011. Nicholas will be arraigned on these charges in Hanover General District Court on 12/16/2011.

While sufficient information has been obtained to support these charges, Investigators believe there may be those with information that would be of value to this investigation. Anyone with information on these cases is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (804) 365-6140. 

 Source:Hanover County Sherrif's Office, Official News Release December 8, 2011.

Does this woman have Munchausen's Syndrome? Does she have a different form of mental illness? Is she greedy? Do we assist her using taxpayers money? Will that transpire if she is incarcerated? As a 2 time cancer survivor (cervical and skin) I am offended, to say the least, that this woman, let alone ANYONE, would create a lie to this magnitude for the sake of making money. Perhaps one of her jobs in prison could be creative fundraising.  How can someone say to themselves.....hey I want/need some money. How's about I pretend to be a cancer survivor, pretend to currently have cancer and play on the sympathies of my community for financial gain. 
Here is my message to Mrs. Nicholas:
Thank you for reminding me that most people are good and kind. You are not. Thank you for reminding me that the people in my life are fundamentally well-intending and live legitimate lives. You do not. Thank you for showing us that while so many in this country suffer from legitimate forms of cancer, YOU have 'cornered the market' on how to gain sympathy within your community, pull the wool over your own family's eyes, and make money with a FAKE form of cancer. Why didn't I think of that?????? Why? Because I have a conscience, a soul, and would never betray the trust of anyone knowingly or willingly.  What have you lost? Friends, Family, the chance to form life-long friendships based on trust. You've lost me....though we will most probably never meet. You will be judged by a court of law. You will be ordered to reimburse the funds that you extorted. You will spend time in prison in an attempt to equalize the wrongs you have done. 

You do not know the sensation of toxic chemicals coursing through your veins. You do not know the inconvenience nausea and fatigue has on your day to day exsistence. You do not know what it is like to have your personality and spirit altered from copious amounts of medications and doctors visits and hospitalizations. You do not know the effect that hair loss has on your self esteem. You do not know the comfort and joy of having family legitmately rally on your behalf,  and be by your side during the tough times. You do not share with me the magnificence of hearing simple terms like clean borders, stable lab results, clear scan,  last round of chemotherapy, 5 years cancer-free. 
Thankfully you do not know these things.....cancer is not for the faint-of-heart, or the heartless. It's for a very select few. I don't think I want you in our club.

You are not a warrior.; how dare you claim to be. You are not one of us. You are nothing like me...20 years and 8 years cancer-free; like my Goddaughter Meg ....14 years cancer-free; like family friend, Winnie...2 years cancer-free; or her brother, Jeff...1 year cancer-free. You are nothing like Lily, who survived pediatric cancer, or her mom, Judy who is currently fighting for her life. You are nothing like my father-in-law, Charles, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, survived, only to see his wife of 42 years, my mother-in law, Arlene, die a painful death after receiving only 1 dose of chemo. He is currently being treated for a recurrence. You are nothing like my uncle, my aunt, my grandfather, my many friends that have fought valiantly and passed from their cancer.

Faking cancer, Mrs. Nicholas, will be the greatest lesson of your life and is my prayer for you. You owe us an apology, and you owe it to yourself to get it right……… from this day on.




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