Every one of us probably knows someone whose life has been affected by cancer. Many family members probably wish there was something more they could do to help their loved ones.

Holly Melton lost her husband of nearly ten years to cancer in March. Since then she's made it her mission to carry on his legacy by drumming up money and support to start an urgent care cancer clinic in Springfield.

As they get ready for the new school year to start, life for the Meltons seems normal, but pain lurks beneath the surface after a heartbreaking year.

Last November, Jeff Melton and his wife Holly were shocked what doctors had to tell them. At age 48, Jeff had stage four melanoma.

"He said you will die from this. He said the best thing to do is go home and get affairs in order," Holly Melton said.

But, neither Jeff nor his wife would accept that fate, not without a fight.

"Jeff was, he was a fighter. He was one of kindest, most gentle souls, but he was a fighter, and he couldn't take that as his only option," Melton said.

They researched and found several clinical trials at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Jeff fought the cancer for nearly five months, but, in late March, Holly new her life had changed.

"I sat up and the room was quiet, and I knew he'd passed," Melton said.

Jeff's legacy lives on through his wife, their two daughters, Lauren and Ashton, and a vision.

"We saw something that was lacking, and that was a need for urgent care cancer clinic," Melton said.

During Jeff's fight he repeatedly had to visit the emergency room for high fevers and to get certain medication which Holly says put him at a greater risk of getting sicker because his immune system was already weak.

"It's not that ER's are wrong or bad, it's just that they're not designed for people in this type of situation," Melton said.

She says an urgent care cancer clinic would address the special needs cancer patients have and keep them safe from other illnesses found in ERs and other urgent care centers.

"If we can make it better, give them a healthier environment, we're increasing their chances just that much more of beating cancer," Melton said.

It’s a chance she wishes her husband Jeff could have had.

"Cancer doesn't have to be his legacy. His legacy can be a healing and helping environment for others," Melton said.

At 7 P.M. Tuesday, September 9, the Gillioz Theater is holding a benefit concert for the Jeff Melton Cancer Fund. Tickets are $7 at the door.

You can also make donations to the Jeff Melton Cancer Fund at any Citizen's National Bank.

Money raised for the fund would also be used to help families who can't afford plane tickets or other travel expenses to get treatment elsewhere and a mobile cancer clinic.

Melton is also looking for backing from one of the major hospitals in Springfield to help make the urgent care cancer clinic a reality.

To visit Holly Melton's Blog click here .