(Greensburg, IN) – When Melissa Atkins pulled into Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) earlier this month, she wasn’t expecting her day to turn into something she’d never forget. She was simply driving a friend to their appointment when she noticed a crowd gathered around a pink firetruck and pink ambulance parked in front of the hospital, surrounded by people in pink shirts, laughter, and smiles.
Curious, Melissa parked her car and walked over. Dressed in her own breast cancer awareness shirt, she asked if someone might take her picture with the brightly wrapped vehicles, symbols of strength and unity in the fight against breast cancer.
Through the course of that conversation, Melissa shared that she is currently battling breast cancer. Diagnosed on December 5, 2024, the 54-year-old underwent a double mastectomy in January. Her cancer was Grade 3, aggressive and fast-growing, requiring both chemotherapy and radiation. Today, she’s finished with treatment and looking ahead with gratitude and hope.
“Seeing those pink trucks and how many people were there in support made me so proud to be part of this community,” Melissa said. “It’s nice to get out, to feel that support, and to spend time with family and friends again. This is all part of the journey, the shock, the anger, the exhaustion, but now, I’m finally starting to get my energy back and feel like myself again.”
Originally from Versailles, Melissa received her diagnosis and treatment from a neighboring hospital where she met her care team. Since then, she’s made Greensburg her home, finding new friendships, a close-knit community, and the kind of encouragement that keeps her spirit strong.
Melissa’s journey has been filled with both heartbreak and blessings. She became a grandmother for the first time just seven months before her diagnosis, and a grandmother again after it. “I didn’t know what “normal” was anymore for a while,” she shared. “But I’m ready for that relief. Ready to put this behind me and live.”
Before leaving that day, Melissa received a pink ribbon pin and several hugs from members of the DCMH team and the Greensburg Fire Department, each one a symbol of shared strength and support. “It felt like I gained new supporters in my battle,” she said with a smile.
Her message is simple but powerful: get your mammogram. “If I can help one person, sharing my story is worth it. I want to do something with my time, so please get checked.”
Melissa’s story reminds us that breast cancer is a journey no one should face alone. At DCMH, and throughout Decatur County, we are proud to stand together, raising awareness, offering compassion, and working to Extinguish Breast Cancer with hope that shines brighter than fear.
(Decatur County Memorial Hospital press release)
