Ladies, I'm sad to send this message, but Kim Pierce's sister,
Melissa, passed away this morning around 5am. For those that
couldn't make the Round Rock tournament, we raised some money for
Melissa ($301). Kim was so, so appreciative because her sister did
not have medical insurance and they also lost their house because
her husband had to quit his job due to her illness. They have been
driving back and forth from Georgetown to Temple to the Scott and
White hospital.

Melissa visited Kim at the Round Rock tournament Saturday for a
couple of hours with her husband, son and pregnant daughter; they
watched a few of Kim's matches. I think the event will be forever
be a very memorable tournament for Kim. I was introduced to Melissa
and her family right after Kim won a match. Melissa was very quite,
but obviously very proud of Kim. And, Melissa was extremely happy
to be able to watch her sister play pool with her family by her side.

Melissa was supposed to have surgery done today to hopefully sustain
her life a little longer. Unfortunately, she went to the hospital
yesterday, and apparently had some complications with the tumor in
her brain and it ruptured.

Melissa was diagnosed with cancer about 5 weeks ago and the cancer
was all over her body, it was Stage 4. They were hoping the surgery
would help her a bit so she could go through chemo, etc., but she
just couldn't overcome it.

We don't have any funeral details but please keep Kim and her family
in your thoughts.

Melinda