I’m Malinda Paolozzi, and I’m taking part in the Mission America challenge in honor of every life touched by cancer—but especially in memory of my mom.

William Goodge is taking on an extraordinary challenge: running a marathon in all 50 states in just 24 days in support of Stand Up To Cancer. While he takes on those 50 marathons, I’m committing to my own challenge alongside him: for each of those 24 days, I’ll run or walk at least one mile in support of this mission.

My mom passed away from ovarian cancer in 2020. I saw firsthand both the devastation of this disease and the difference that medical research can make. Newer treatments helped give my mom more time, and that time meant everything to our family. It’s one of the reasons supporting cancer research is so personal to me.

As a nurse practitioner, I also understand how critical medical research is to improving early detection, developing more effective treatments, and ultimately saving lives. Research gives patients more options, families more time, and all of us more reason to hope.

Each mile I complete during these 24 days will be dedicated to the people I love who have faced cancer. For me, this challenge is a way to turn grief into action and hope.

By supporting Stand Up To Cancer, you’re helping fund research aimed at detecting and treating cancer earlier and more effectively. Every donation—large or small—helps move that work forward.

Please consider supporting my challenge. Together, we can help turn miles into research, research into better treatments, and better treatments into more time with the people we love.