Every year during March Madness - a win-or-go-home college basketball tournament that grips America - INFINITI uses basketball to raise awareness in, and donations for, the battle against cancer. In a season where we hear such basketball phrases as "Survive and advance" ... "Root for the underdog" ... and "Be a Cinderella story" ... there may be no sports parallel more fitting to the legions of people fighting for their lives against cancer every day. This year, INFINITI took a personal look inside the true story of one such everyday warrior. "Cinderella story" brings to life the trials and tribulations of Melissa -- who fought cancer and came out victorious on the other side -- in beautiful, realistic detail.

“Cinderella story” is an American term used to describe a team in America’s college basketball tournament (known as “March Madness”) that outperforms, or comes out of nowhere to claim victories against more powerful opponents. So when the radio announcer discusses “top Cinderella stories”, the teams he’s referring to have accomplished those feats in the past. Likewise, beating cancer (always a “heavy favorite to win”) would make the survivor a “Cinderella story.”

Open on Melissa talking as she drives a QX50, her daughter in back.

RADIO: We're talking top Cinderella stories, 1983 NC State, 2011 Butler -

CHILD: What’s a Cinderella Story?

Cut to Melissa, looking weak in bed, trying to start her morning.

MELISSA: 2013. Diagnosed. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Cut to some old footage/pictures of Melissa during treatment. Then to Melissa stretching on the court.

MELISSA: 5 hours later. Started chemo.

Cut to Melissa running drills, and other quick cuts b/w various parts of her workouts.

MELISSA: June 2015. Remission.

Cut to Melissa in car with her daughter as she looks in the rear view mirror at her daughter.

MELISSA: I'm a Cinderella Story.

Cut to Melissa’s daughter at home, in mid-air, from a trampoline jump.

MELISSA: 1 dog.

2 kids.

And a trampoline.

Cut to Melissa in the gym hands on knees.

MELISSA: Who doesn't like a trampoline?

VO: Take a time out to fight cancer. Play the Infiniti round by round bracket.