Hi, I'm Melissa. A hospice leader, mom of two (including a newly graduated nurse!) and bonus mom of two, a wife and a runner who got back into the sport this year and completed my first marathon in October. That race reminded me what I'm capable of and how powerful it feels to do something hard with heart behind it.

This January, I'm taking on the Dopey Challenge,

48.6 miles over four days, to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I'm running for the families who face this disease with extraordinary strength, for those who fight for every breath, and for the hope that drives life-changing research.

Training again while balancing leadership, a busy blended family, and Michigan winters isn't easy, but purpose makes the miles worth it. Running for a cause gives deeper meaning to the early mornings, the treadmill miles, and the long runs that push me past my comfort zone.

I'm proud to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the critical work they do to improve care, advance research, and bring hope to people living with CF. Thank you for cheering me on and helping us move closer to a world where everyone with cystic fibrosis can breathe easier and live longer.