City: Minneapolis
Profession: Emergency Center Technician / Nursing Student
Race: 10 Mile
Fundraising Goal: $3,000
Race Goal (time/just finish!): Just Finish!
In a few sentences, describe your connection to U2FP, why you chose to run in support of U2FP, and whether you have a personal connection to spinal cord injury and paralysis: I’m running for Team U2FP because a very close friend of mine has a C-5 spinal injury and has been able to teach me how much the world needs an intervention to restore function for people with paralysis and that U2FP has proven to be the best organization to make that happen. From coaching wheelchair softball, to seeing my friend adapt in the way he lives his life, it is a crap thing to happen to a person whether born with it or from injury. The kids on my team are able to do amazing things with a smile on their faces all day. Thomas, my friend, pushed in the Chicago full marathon in 2019 and is planning to again this year. Paralysis isn’t something that has stopped them from living their lives because they are tenacious beasts, but the goal of restoring function would be life changing for them as well as society as a whole. So I figured I would do my part to help raise some money and make this reality!
Is this your first marathon/race? If not, what others have you completed? I have ran one half marathon in Denver during June 2021
What do you crave after a long run? A tall, cold coors with some olives in it
Do you listen to anything when you train or race? If yes, what? A Peloton workout or 70s music
What are you most excited and/or nervous about for the marathon? I haven’t ever run with a crowd around, Denver was through the mountains with no spectators. Running with people along the side adds an extra level of excitement but also a lot more nerves.
What is an interesting or unique fact about yourself (or anything else you’d like to share)? Hmm.. I have a 90 lb lap dog? I also recently left corporate life to start working in health care in an ER room and am going to school next year for St. Kate’s MSN (nursing) program, that’s pretty cool.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Dan Luther | 10/01/2021 | $1,540.35 | Way to go Melissa!! | Sarah Ehlen | 09/30/2021 | $30.00 | You are a freaking ROCKSTAR! Run fast!!! | Jen Taranto | 09/30/2021 | $15.71 | Anthony DiFlorio | 09/30/2021 | $50.00 | Miss ya, friend! Keep on giving! — Tony | Anonymous Friend | 09/30/2021 | $259.65 | You’re a rockstar! | Rudy Luther | 09/29/2021 | $256.98 | Go sis! Better be super fast! | Anonymous Friend | 09/28/2021 | $102.98 | Hopefully you run further than you did at work last week! | Kylie Jinks | 09/22/2021 | $51.64 | Beast | Anonymous Friend | 09/16/2021 | $51.64 | L J | 09/16/2021 | $104.05 | proud of you little!!! | Brian Dunn | 09/16/2021 | $102.98 | Let’s go Melissa! | Clayton Herman | 09/16/2021 | $51.64 | Do I get a T shirt or something? | Ryan Mills | 09/16/2021 | $15.71 | Dan Van Der Vieren | 08/04/2021 | $250.00 | Ben Steffens | 07/20/2021 | $100.00 | Connor MacCartney | 07/15/2021 | $20.84 | <3 | Diane Holker | 07/15/2021 | $102.98 | You go girl! | Patrick Donahue | 07/14/2021 | $51.64 | Good luck from patrick and family! | Susan Donahue | 07/14/2021 | $305.65 | Great cause Melissa!! We will be there to cheer you on!! | Michelle Holker | 07/14/2021 | $51.64 | Excited for you, Melissa! | Patricia Oakes | 07/12/2021 | $205.65 | Could be the beginning of a long list of road races? Twice as cool to run for a cause! | Family Horton | 07/09/2021 | $102.98 | Way to GO Melissa!! Run like the wind ☺️ Awesome cause! Our Jack Jablonski Foundation collaborates with u2fp on occasion. We are all in this together !! | Katie McNamara | 07/09/2021 | $20.84 | For the spines! | Anonymous Friend | 07/03/2021 | $25.00 | Love you Melis! | Kelsey Oakes | 07/03/2021 | $50.00 | “We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.“ Gwendolyn Brooks | Anonymous Friend | 07/02/2021 | $104.05 | Jenny Fischer | 07/02/2021 | $25.98 | Run like the wind, sister! ?? | Anonymous Friend | 07/02/2021 | $104.05 | "I'll be donating anonymously" - DJ | Ariana Braccia | 07/02/2021 | $102.98 | Go Melissa!! | Alex Crandall | 07/02/2021 | $50.00 |
| Total | $4,307.61 | ||