Melissa was diagnosed with CF at the age of 5. After briefly working in the music industry, she became a social worker, which heightened her interest in how policy affects people's lives. ​Melissa began advocating with the CF Foundation in 2011, served as the national advocacy co-chair and is now advocacy chair for the Greater NY Chapter -- advocating for policies that will help extend and better the lives of people with CF and their families. As part of the Cystic Fibrosis Reproductive and Sexual Health Collaborative, she worked on the Cystic Fibrosis Sexual and Reproductive Guide -- a guide written by patients for providers and patients on topics such as contraception, hormones, family building, body image, and more. Melissa resides in New York City with her husband, two children, guinea pig, and rescue dog.​