Help Melissa raise money

On May 2, 2021, I ran the UPMC Health Plan Virtual Half Marathon in support of the Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania (PFWPA), in memory of my father Jeffrey Shablesky.

My dad was many things to me, not just a parent. He was a veteran, steelworker, runner, but most of all a friend. We found our common ground through our running and devoted most of our time in the 80s and 90s running in local events. 

Our dream was to run the Pittsburgh Marathon together. Sadly, the timing just never worked out for us both - mostly on my end. About a decade ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. While I know it was a struggle, I still made him come out each year and run a 5K with me, and we would still talk about our dream of tackling something larger. A few years ago, the time came where he could no longer run. 

After the marathon went virtual this year, I decided to run the half marathon event in the hope of bringing him that medal on May 2nd. Sadly, and unexpectedly, he passed away on February 24th. I earned our medal and did it in the best way possible - by raising money and awareness to the disease that took some of our favorite times together away.

Please help give his final race (the one in his honor) a purpose by making a donation to help me in my mission to raise $1,000 for each of the 13.1 miles.