My Achievements
Hit 50% of Goal
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Updated Profile Pic
Reached Goal
Fundraising page
My Updates
Why I'm Running
Thursday 28th MarI'm incredibly honored to be running the 2024 NYC Marathon on behalf of Team Lustgarten in honor of my Aunt Melissa, who passed away in 2021 from Pancreatic Cancer.
My dad came from a family that struggled with heart disease and health complications, and as a result, he was adamant about taking care of himself. So I grew up with a father who worked out to take care of himself and more importantly, his mind. Exercise was never forced upon my family, but rather introduced as a healthy outlet. It was because of him that I grew up with a positive mindset around health and exercise, and it's why I started track in high school.
Now a senior in College at UVA, running has been a consistent aspect of my wellness routine. It has helped me through stressful semesters and is truly an outlet for me to take care of myself and my well-being. I am passionate about the positive conversation around health—so much so that I have worked for the past two years at Melissa Wood Health, an online wellness platform, and have started work there full-time in June!
Three years ago, my Aunt Melissa passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. My Aunt Melissa was my father’s only sister. As the only girl with three brothers, she was fiercely loyal to her family- she always took my Dad’s side in an argument. In that way, I have always seen myself in her. I too idolize my two older brothers and believe that they can do no wrong (most of the time). I could see how much she loved and appreciated my Dad, and how much he loved and appreciated her. So, when she was diagnosed with stage four Pancreatic Cancer at just 47, it came as a shock to my entire family.
My mom had recently lost her job (she was a Kindergarten teacher in Queens), which ended up being a blessing in disguise because she dropped everything to be my Aunt’s full-time caretaker. My Aunt Melissa moved in with us during this time. While it was under heartbreaking circumstances, I will forever be grateful for this time with my Aunt, and thankful that even for a little while, I got to spend every day with her.
Unfortunately, my Aunt lost her battle on January 16th, 2021.
Organizations like the Lustgarten Foundation help bring hope for a brighter future as it relates to seemingly hopeless diagnoses, and I am incredibly honored to run for Team Lustgarten for my Aunt Melissa. I know running a marathon is incredibly challenging, but my motivation to do so for such a charity like the Lustgarten Foundation comes deep within my heart as it is in honor of someone who I love dearly. I believe that it is this kind of intrinsic motivation that will push me to train and complete the 2024 NYC Marathon.
When my Mom was taking care of my Aunt Melissa, my heart broke for others battling who did not have a family member constantly advocating for them during a time when they needed it the most, and so the Lustgarten Foundation's efforts really mean a lot to me and my family. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by patients without adequate support, I am profoundly moved by Lustgarten Foundation's efforts and their impact on families like mine, and am privileged to have the opportunity to raise money for this cause.
ShareThank You to My Donors
$551
Pathways Consulting Group
$215
Carl's Medical Gases
We all wish you Luck!!
$211
Bruce And Alisa Schindler
What a beautiful tribute to your Aunt Melissa. We are very proud of you.
$211
The Troia Family
$200
Christopher Linthwaite
$158.25
Thomas Tolentino
$106
Susan And Bill Santella
So proud of you Julianna!! 💪🏃♀️💕
$106
Mcdonagh Family
$105.50
Anna & Dominick Florentino
Way to go Julianna. Want to be at the finish line to cheer for you so keep us up to date. We honor Mellissa's memory.
$105.50
Marie Lucaniageandma &grandpa
So very proud of the beautiful young lady you are.
$105.50
Tulio Quinones
$105.50
Greg Polis
$105.50
Wilma Schindler
You are doing a wonderful thing, for a very serious condition. So proud that I know you. Winnie Schindler
$105.50
Josh Kaye
$105.50
Anonymous
$105.50
Susan Coutsouros
Julianna, you are a beautiful soul. Your aunt Melissa is definitely smiling down on you. She was vey special and I am so happy that I was a small part of her journey. Knowing her was a blessing. Her footprints are left on my heart. Good luck and God bless you always. ❤️
$105.50
Roberta Yasbin
Hope u have a wonderful run I know u are doing a great service for all
$105.50
Salvatore Tomaselli
All the best Juliana
$105.50
Joseph Santella
I love you Julie! I’m proud of you!
$105.50
Aisling Mcdonagh
$105.50
Anthony Torsiello
$105.50
John Chapin
Go girl! Thanks for doing good deeds.
$105.50
John Mastando
$105.50
Steven Tito
My prayers are with you Julianna and your entire family!! 🙏🏻
$105.50
Kristen St Onge
$105.50
Katherine Kelly
So excited for you to train and run the nyc marathon for such a special cause!! Cant wait to follow along your journey!!
$105.50
Katie Helie
$105.50
Bart Fanelli
Great cause, wonderful commitment, family first, #oneteam
$105.50
John Grecco
$105
Kim Welle
Good lunch Julianna 😘
$105
Alisa & Bruce Schindler
Go get em, Julianna! Xoxox ❤️💪
$104.50
Peter Kinsella
Way to go! Great cause!
$101
Jonathan Meyer
$101
Barbara Leed
Dear Julianna It's Barbara Leed .I ask your Grams to make this donation for me .Wishing you the best of luck in the Marathon.
$101
Joe Scharnikow
$100
Patricia Guarneri
It is our pleasure to support you and this cause. We love you and are very proud of you. This is a wonderful way to honor your Aunt Melissa ❤️ Love The Guarneri’s 😘
$100
John & Michelle Lardi
What a beautiful tribute, also can’t believe you’re graduating this year… God Bless
$76
Manny Romero
Go Julianna! So amazing!
$53
Julia Farrell
WOOOHOOO Julianna! So proud of you!
$52.75
Peter Ricketts
$52.75
Rachael Rabinowitz
Great cause- proud of you
$52.75
Rob Rishel
Good luck! I'm a friend of your Dad's. Wishing you all the best!
$52.75
David Lisnow
$52.75
Marianne Carillo
$52.75
John And Arlene Elefante
Proud that you are running in memory of your aunt. Happy to support you !!
$52.75
Sharon Cesaro
Very worthy cause. Very commendable .
$52.75
Marianne Carillo
$52.75
Danielle Lardi
you are so so incredible!!!!!!! can’t wait to cheer you on from the sidelines my girl!!!!! love you so much <3
$52.75
Michael & Kristin Bieber
Very nice thing to do for your Aunt Melissa
$52.75
Mamie And Matthew Farley
Way to go Julianna!
$52.75
Lauren Lee
Go Julianna!!! So proud of you, you are amazing!!!!!
$52.75
Alyssa Becker
Godspeed!
$52.75
Deborah Aizenstain
Good luck to you. You are some terrific young lady. Debbi ( friend of grandma and grandpa)
$52.75
Nikki Coutsouros
Go Julie!!! You are an inspiration and the most beautiful soul. 🩷 Cheering the loudest for you always and Good Luck!!
$52.75
John Sanseverino
Inspiring!
$52.75
Catherine Gugliucci
Great job! Good luck 🙏
$52.75
Frank Ekert
Dear Julianna Wishing you the very best in your run for a lustgarten foundation.marilyn Ruosso &Frank Ekert.
$52.75
Anonymous
Great cause. Good luck to you!
$52.50
The Halletts
We are so proud of you!! Best of luck sweetheart!❤️🙏🏻
$51
John Giardina
Great cause and best of luck!
$50
Dave Barnes
$37
Sheldon And Gail Petersel
thank you!
$26.88
Roni
Julianna what a beautiful jester. You have sunshine in your heart and I most of all appreciate what ur doing because my first cousin had 4 stage pancreatic cancer and she has been clean now 7 yrs. What a blessing.
$26.38
Holly Weinstein
So proud of you!
$26.38
Kim Leonard
$26.38
Dina Sugameli
Beautiful tribute.. good luck!
$26.38
Kalum Truett
Good luck and best wishes to the Santella family!
$26.38
Ricki
Proud of you for doing this, cousin!
$26.38
Victor Elefante
Keep up the good work !
$26.38
Mary Anne And Tom Farmer
Good luck running the marathon!
$26.38
Daria Ghiassi
$26.38
Ciara Moses
Let’s go Juj!!!
$26.38
Aisling Mcdonagh
So proud of you!!! 💜
$26.38
Debbie And Carl Destefanis
What a beautiful tribute to your Aunt. Good luck Julianna 💜
$26.38
Julianna Santella
Wishing you success luv u
$26.38
Harry Farley
Proud of you x2
$26.38
Mae Kass
$26.38
Jennifer Kurre
$26.38
Renee Klass
Have a great one Giuliana! Still remember when you were young child the snowflakes you made me when I was ill. so glad to see how you have grown into a special young woman!
$26.38
Marsha Weissman
$26.38
Kaanan Shah
$26.38
Anonymous
$26.38
Caroline Morley
$26.38
Izzy Avila
RUN LIKE THE MF WIND BESTIE !!!
$26.38
Karolina Rhenman
Queen
$26.38
Harry Farley
So proud of you !!!!
$26.38
Matthew Pegno
$26.38
Olifa Dadi
Well done and good luck
$26.38
Stephanie Davis
$26.38
Joseph Ali
$26.38
Josephine Aiosa
Good luck Julianna…. We are so proud of you
$26
Oliver Reinhardt
$21.10
Liliana Dowling
Good luck! ❤️
$15.67
Raya Jabboure
So proud of you Juj!! What an incredible cause you’re running for… good luck ❤️
$10
Julianna Santella
$5.28
Martha Wilding
$3.74
Mae Kass
Julianna, We’ve never actually met or spoken in person, and I’d like to put that scariness aside. I was compelled to donate to your campaign.
Good luck Julianna!