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When Melissa Histon was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35, she made a promise to herself while lying on her bedroom floor during treatment: if she survived, her life would be different. That pivotal moment sparked a journey of transformation that would impact countless women's lives.

After recovery, Melissa's newfound perspective led her to Nepal where she photographed women rescued from sex trafficking. Confronted with such profound suffering, she returned to Australia with a burning question: How could she know about such pain and continue her comfortable life unchanged?

This restlessness birthed "Got Your Back Sister", an organisation that began literally from Melissa's living room, providing donated furniture to women fleeing violent homes. Nine years later, it's grown into a comprehensive support system helping women rebuild their lives after abuse.

The statistics are sobering—one woman killed every 11 days through domestic violence in Australia—but through practical support, healing programs, and education about relationship red flags, Melissa's organisation creates pathways to safety and independence.

What makes this story particularly powerful is how Melissa's personal health crisis transformed into purpose. From an anxious child who would vomit before swimming lessons to a confident advocate breaking cycles of violence, her journey demonstrates how our darkest moments can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Whether you're interested in domestic violence prevention, personal transformation, or how grassroots initiatives can address complex social issues, this conversation offers insight into how one woman's decision to "do something" created ripples that continue to save lives. Have you ever wondered how you might transform your own challenges into purpose?

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