South Florida

Students Band Together Behind Classmate's Cause for a Cure For Cystic Fibrosis

A South Florida teenager is counting on friends to help her fight to stay alive.

Eight grader Melissa Tamayo, who goes by the nickname Meli, loves music, her folks, and her dad's service dog Sam.

She's a lot like other teens at Hialeah Gardens Middle School, except for one big difference that she wears around her neck.

"It says the disease that I have and some of the medicines I take," said Tamayo

Before her first birthday, doctors diagnosed Meli with cystic fibrosis. It's a life threatening condition that damages her lungs and other organs. It put her in the hospital three times already this year. Doctors only expect her to reach her 37th birthday.

"She's a fighter, she's my little trooper, she's a warrior," said Elizabeth Tamayo, Meli's mother.

Each morning before school, Meli starts her day with a breathing treatment.

"It helps like to breathe easier and like to clear your lungs," she said.

And now Meli's classmates are lining up behind the cause for her cure.

"Every year we walk like five kilometers around Miami Lakes," said one student.

Seven years ago, two people started walking in Melissa's honor to raise money, this year that number will be closer to 200.

Band members, teachers, and friends are stepping out to support Meli at the Great Strides Walkathon this weekend to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"I've been raising money online," Melissa said.

she's already raised more than $5,000 on her walking team called Meli's Roses. Those roses want her to know something.

"She's a leader and she makes me who I am," said Jose Tamayo, Melissa's dad.

"We'll always be there for her, like no matter what happens," a friend said.

To Meli, just being there is enough, "When I'm with my friends, I don't really think about cystic fibrosis or anything," she said.

She does think about growing up to be a scientist and finding a cure to be able to celebrate many more birthdays past the age of 37.

To find out how you can help support Meli’s team, click here.

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