In Honor of Diane Corjulo 💜
My family lost Diane Corjulo, my aunt and godmother, to early-onset Alzheimer’s on January 14th, 2026. The year so far has been defined by grief, but I find myself asking—why run 26.2 miles distance about it? Sure, the New York City Marathon has been a distant bucket-list dream of mine, but I could literally do anything else to honor Di. What makes me think I can do this at all?
I think about the weekends I’ll sacrifice to long runs; then I think about all the weekends my mom sacrificed over Di’s eight-year illness, arranging her life around caring for her sister and soul best friend. If my mom can do that, I can do this.
I think about the bad runs I’ll go on, when I’ll wish I were anywhere else; then I think about my uncle Mike, Di’s husband and primary caregiver and greatest love, who took the brunt of the bad days and persevered through them all, turning lemons into lemonade when all he wanted was his wife back. If he can survive that, I can survive this.
I think about seeing my loved ones along the course, hearing their encouragement when I think I can’t take another step; then I think about Di’s last hours, her village surrounding her, laughing and telling stories and lying down on her bed, so she could leave this world with a fraction of the love she brought into it. If we could show up for that, I can show up for this.
I think about all the beautiful moments I could have along this road; then I think about all the beautiful moments I got with my aunt Di, my godmother, a second mom, an earnest listener, the best hostess, the most amazing friend, who thought I could do anything and cheered me on in everything. If she could believe in me, I can believe in myself.
The New York City Marathon will be on November 1st, 2026, exactly one week before what should have been Aunt Di’s 65th birthday. I don’t have to run 26.2 miles to honor her life. But what a privilege it is to choose my hard, when there was so much hard we didn’t choose. What a reminder that the journey through Alzheimer’s is no sprint, but we can take comfort in love and family and moments of joy along the way. What an opportunity to make some lemonade. I’m honored to be part of it.
Thank you to my Donors
$500
The Husband
$300
Hunts Of Needham
$300
Anonymous
$250
Mary Mullin
Proud of your commitment
$250
The Murray Family
You got this run, Melissa! We’re so proud of you!!❤️
$200
Charles & Barbara
Via con Dios,Melissa!
$150
Patrick Mullin And Angela Wright Mullin
Run Melissa, Run!
$120
Christine Winn-long
Beautiful tribute for Diane. We will be cheering you on Melissa!
$100
Sarah Goldring
🫶
$100
Brooke And Manuel (chino)
Di would be so incredibly proud of you!
$100
Melanie Lawless
Beautifully expressed Melissa…Know your Aunt Di is still encouraging you. You can do hard things, and you will! Thanks for honoring Di she was a special soul!
$100
Momo And Gary
Your write-up was beautiful, touching, and 100% spot-on! What you are doing is an incredible tribute to Di - and we’re very proud of you! We love you - MoMo and Gary
$100
Jeanie And Shane
$100
Debbie And John
Thank you for your efforts against this disease!
$100
The Shimadas
Thank you for running for such an amazing cause! We are so proud of you! Love you!
$100
Arielle Budney
Let’s goooooooo!!!!
$100
Gregory
You got this! I’ll clang my cowbell extra obnoxiously for you
$100
Hunts Of Texas
Pulling for you during every training run, Melissa!
$100
The Riccios
See you at the finish line!!
$100
Allison Moore
Go Melissa! Already supportive of this cause and very happy to support your run.
$100
Katie Murray
You got this Melissa! 🏃🏼♀️
$100
Anonymous
$75
Catherine Heege
Run like the wind! 💜💜💜
$50
Olivia Morrison
Go Melissa!!
$50
Daniele De Groot
Go Melissa Go!!
$50
Erin Ferguson
So proud of you!!
$35
Sarah Huntington
may every step of the way be a tribute to the memories that still live in you. YOU GOT THIS. 26.2! PROUD OF YOU.
$35
Michaela Hunt
Love you!!! 💜
$30
Suzanne Levasseur
$25
Danielle Blount
Good luck!
$25
Marcella Hunt
You are amazing! So proud of you!!!
$20
Steph Mahder
prepare for maximum HollarHype usage. LOVE YOU BUDDY
$20
Adeline Arabolos
Aww I miss di di so much and of course you bought me to tears I have a lots of pts thru the years but none will never measure up to my di di I wish you health and good luck in your run god bless ❤️🙏🏻
$20
Emily Quaglia
Very proud of who you are and what you do
$10
Samantha Bouchet
$10
Jenny L.
$5
Erin Cullen
I am proud of your dedication to honor Di in all moments of your life but especially this one. Cannot wait to cheer for you in November, Melissa. XOXO, Erin
