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.




 


Comments

jeff ircink
12/12/2011 13:31

well written, jen. don't know that i could add to that...except that his woman is sick and evil and i would love to punch her in her face. 2x.

Reply
Nancy
12/12/2011 14:37

Thank you for sharing the courage, strength and compassion of a true survivor.

Reply
Christina link
12/12/2011 17:09

Very well said, Jennifer! You captured the essence of how I feel towards my son's birthmother who used to spew forth GARBAGE about his behavior/temperment and about what a troubled child he is, just to get attention for herself.

My daughter, you see, IS a troubled child. She is 4 years old and was exposed to "crack" cocaine, alcohol and nicotine in utero...daily. It is SO incredibly difficult to keep my cool around G's birthmom knowing that she faked so many things about him that my sweet little girl struggles with daily. WHY would ANY parent want to pretend their child had those issues? SIGH.

Off my soapbox....thanks for a very well written piece.

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