Such a full-circle moment to have our Season 1 finale special guest on the podcast five seasons later! And it’s such a special episode because we have special guest, co-founder and executive director of Claire’s Place Foundation, Melissa Yeager. The mom of Elle and Claire, Melissa has continued Claire Wineland’s legacy of cystic fibrosis activism and philanthropy with her foundation, now impacting over 5,000 people with $1,000,000 in extended hospital stay grants, and even more programs. Melissa has not only continued Claire’s mission, but found her own passion in this work, and we catch up for the episode, five years after we did our Legacy Tribute podcast after Claire’s passing. 

Here’s the Four Hot Takeaways: 

1. At 3:36 Melissa chats it up about her go-to dinner, the most meaningful gift she’s ever given, a childhood favorite book she passes along to everyone, and the activity she loves to do with her daughter, Elle, and they did with Claire too.  
2. At  12:05 Melissa and Dominique dive into the evolution of Claire’s Place Foundation since Claire’s passing, how a new program mirrors the improvements in CF healthcare and would be something Claire would have adored, and the major things Melissa has learned about herself as a philanthropist during her years as executive director. 
3. STORY TIME Intermission at 26:56 is super funny as Melissa shares about how the time Melissa, Claire and Elle adopted their first dog…only to find out she would be a soon-to-be momma of two more puppies, and how they mirrored their three dogs. Plus, we heard about a top-secret hospital visit with puppy Izzy and Melissa for Claire that you won’t want to miss! 
4. Final segment at 33:29 Melissa and Dominique get deep to share some advice and support on how to manage through the emotions of bereavement and grief, how Melissa has balanced celebrating Claire’s memory and legacy in her work while also honored her grief of losing a child, the pieces of advice she would give to others dealing with grief in the early days versus years later, and how she and her younger daughter, Elle, have both dealt with grief in different ways but found how to continue to support one another on their journeys after Claire’s passing so they are celebrating Claire and honoring their grief.

Please like, comment, subscribe and share this episode, follow Melissa @melissa.yeager1 and Claire’s Place Foundation @clairesplacefoundation on Instagram! Please check out the InvisiYouth Charity Shop to buy yourself or someone you care about our limited edition Subtle Activist Color Block bracelet on www.etsy.com/shop/invisiyouthcharity with free shipping globally, and please support InvisiYouth Charity by donating, following and joining our programs and community @invisiyouth!

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