Help Mallory raise money

I choose to run the Akron Marathon, for the 2nd year, in memory of Melina Edenfield & for everything her family now fights for.  My connection with Melina started in Fall of 2021 when my daughter, Amelia, came home talking about her “best friend” in preschool— that little girl was Melina Edenfield.  Fast forward to March 2020 when school shut down, Amelia continued talking all about Melina and had so many plans for when she was able to see her again because she missed seeing her so much. 

On May 22, 2020 the the lives of the Edenfield family changed in an unimaginable way, when their youngest of three daughters, Melina Michelle Edenfield — a joyful, energetic, and brilliant little four-year-old — was diagnosed with a deadly childhood brain tumor called Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG). Despite initial hope from the doctors that radiation treatment might extend her already limited prognosis, the tumor was one of the most aggressive the doctors had seen, and just a month and two days later — on June 24 , 2020 — the tumor took sweet little Melina’s life.

In Melina’s memory, her family formed the Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation. They continue to be dedicated to helping other families avoid this terrible tragedy by raising awareness and money to help find a cure for DMG and DIPG pediatric brain tumors. Melina was her family’s miracle for four and half years. It is their hope that she can be the miracle for other families forever.

Amelia & Melina never got their time to play again, but the Edenfield family has forever changed our lives.  We CHOOSE JOY constantly & live life to the fullest because we now understand that tomorrow is never promised.  Let’s continue to help raise awareness & funds to fight for a cure with the Edenfield family.