INTERVIEW: Michaela Mardiga and The Valentine Project Artwork

Because We Are Strong

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Because We Are Strong

INTERVIEW: Michaela Mardiga and The Valentine Project

February 22, 2022 • Kristine Hoestermann / Guest: Michaela Mardiga • Season 3 • Episode 88

Meet Michaela:

Michaela G. Margida is one very smart cookie who has dedicated her life to acquiring and translating knowledge into meaningful actions that improve the world. She happens to be a Ph.D. scientist, and she is very proud of that, because she worked extremely hard for it! However, she is a human being first, and has worked hard to define her self-worth outside of her achievements. So here are some things about Michaela the human that you should know:

Michaela’s favorite quote was said by Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Michaela is a big believer that the world needs her now - not after she has lost ten pounds, gotten a personal record in the marathon, revamped her entire wardrobe, gotten a high-paying job, or whatever other metric the world is using to define success today - and that the best way to improve the world is by being her authentic self.

Her second favorite quote was said by her former boss, U.S. Senator Cory Booker: “Don't let your inability to do everything undermine your determination to do something.” It’s this attitude that inspired Michaela and her brother Gregory to start The Valentine Project in 2010, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves children affected by cancer or a chronic illness and their siblings. The Valentine Project works year-round toward the lofty goal of “making the world a kinder place, one child at a time” by recognizing the immense power that small acts of love have to create moments of hope and joy in a world that can sometimes feel very dark. Specifically, The Valentine Project sends personalized gifts to kids diagnosed with cancer or a chronic illness and their siblings each Valentine’s Day, and sends Kindness Cards to these special kids to continue cultivating compassion all year round.

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Connect with Michaela:

The Valentine Project website: https://thevalentineproject.org/

TVP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevalentineprojectusa

TVP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_valentine_project/

TVP Twitter: https://twitter.com/valentineproj

Michaela Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaela.gabrielle.cecilia/

Michaela Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.michaelagabrielle/

Michaela LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelamargida/ _______________________________________________

This episode was edited by: Ruwan Basnayake

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This episode was sponsored by:

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Kristine Hoestermann

Host