For those who know me, you know that my life is built around the love of my family and friends, my passion for the medical field, and my love of fitness.

I’ve spent my nursing career in the CVICU—first as a nurse, and now as an assistant manager and educator. My "happy place" that allows me to shoulder a high stress career has always been the gym, usually under a heavy barbell or more recently inside a boxing ring. Distance running? That was never my world.

But this year, I decided it was time to get uncomfortable. I’ve signed up for my first marathon—the OC Hoag Marathon on May 3rd, 2026—to prove that it’s never too late to be a student of a new discipline.

Why I’m Running: The Girlfriend Factor

If I’m going to push my body through 26.2 miles, I want those miles to mean something. That is why I am raising funds for The Girlfrinend Factor, a nonprofit organization based in the Coachella Valley.

Their mission is simple but revolutionary: "If you want to change the world, educate a woman."

This cause is deeply personal to me. This foundation is a huge part of why I am where I am today. The Girlfriend Factor provided the scholarships and support that helped pay for two of my nursing degrees. They didn't just give me a check; they gave me a career, a community, and the ability to serve my patients at the highest level.

Today, I am proud to be a long-time donor, but for this marathon, I want to go bigger.

How You Can Help

My goal is to raise funds that go directly toward renewable educational grants for local women who are choosing to improve their lives through higher education.

The Goal: $3000.00 - enough to support a grant recipient for an entire year of education.

The Impact: Your donation helps women who are often balancing families and jobs while trying to secure a better future through schooling.

Whether you donate $10 or $100, every bit helps provide the same "hand up" that I received years ago. If you can’t donate, I would love it if you could share this page or just send some good vibes for me on race day!

Thank you for supporting me, but more importantly, thank you for supporting the next generation of women leaders, nurses, and world-changers.

See you at the finish line!