Megan, my remarkable wife, was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma in July of last year. What started as a trip to the ER for what we thought was extreme heartburn, turned into a whirlwind of appointments, surgeries, ER visits, tests, procedures, scans and a diagnosis over the coming months—you name it, Megan has been through it. Megan has always had regular skin checks at the dermatologist and there were never any areas of concern for melanoma. Though rare, it seems the melanoma was noncutaneous, which means it did not start on the skin but instead in the organs/lymph nodes. Safe to say we didn't have that on our 2024 bingo card. Her oncology team at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has been nothing short of phenomenal. They are optimistic about Megan's current immunotherapy treatment, but she still has a long road ahead.

There have been times throughout this where we have both felt helpless but we are eternally grateful for having a strong support system to pick us up. If you know someone who is going through something similar, never underestimate the impact of a simple text, phone call, or check in—it means the world. Even with this support, I have felt sidelined for a lot of Megan's journey and that is why I have accepted the Massey Challenge. Running is my brief escape from everything life throws our way. This challenge not only combines the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k (my favorite race) and the Massey Cancer Center, but it also gives me the opportunity to support their life-saving cancer research for Megan and everyone else who is forced into battling cancer.

Megan and I cannot begin to emphasize how important this research is. A little over a decade ago, the main treatment option for metastatic melanoma was chemotherapy, which had low response rates and severe side effects. Since then increased research on immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment. It enables the immune system to attack melanoma cells more effectively and has led to long-term remission in some patients and what we hope for Megan.

My goal is to raise $1,000. For every $25 donation, you will receive one entry into a raffle to win one of three American Express gift cards valued at $25, $50 and $100. Here are the details:

- Each donation increment of $25 = one entry into the raffle.
- A $50 donation = two entries, a $100 donation = four entries, etc.
- Every entry will be placed into a randomizer and we will draw one winner for each gift card on Sunday, April 13, the day after the race. (Yes, you can win multiple times!)

If you are in Richmond on April 12th, please head over to Monument Avenue to cheer me on, along with over 20,000 runners and walkers. It is a lively community event and known to be Richmond's biggest block party! Please consider donating whatever you can for this life saving cancer research!

Megan and I cannot thank you enough for your support, prayers, and generosity.

Love y'all,

Will Hopkins