Hi everyone! My name is Madi Fujawa and I?m running in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a member of TEAM PAWS Chicago. You can find my fundraising link here!

I chose to fundraise for TEAM PAWS as my love for animals comes naturally from my family. I grew up watching my grandmother, Gretchen Minnotte, devote countless time volunteering and donating money to multiple organizations. She was also a countless foster fail, allowing me to grow up with so many wonderful dogs and a passion for helping animals.

This love was then passed to my dad who famously told my mom ?Brandi if the worst thing we have to worry about for Madi in college is going behind our backs to adopt cats, I think we?re doing okay? in regards to encouraging my partner to adopt our first cat, Indigo, proceed to adopt our second cat, Pluto, and then get our third cat, Oslo, from PAWS in Kyle, Texas!

I have decided to challenge myself and run the Chicago Marathon, the first of hopefully many marathons in my future, in honor of my dad and GG (Grandma Gretchen) who both unexpectedly passed away in my last two years of college. I am also running this marathon for my siblings and mom who have shown me what resilience in the midst of tragedy can look like. While I am newer in my running journey, it has really allowed me to see what I am capable of no matter the circumstances.

My dad and GG were both adventurous and active people (skiing, kitesurfing, cross-country, soccer, and even hockey just to name some of the various activities they ventured into during their lives) and I know they would be incredibly proud to see me not only push myself to this challenge, but also do so in hopes of raising money for an incredible organization that saves countless animals.

PAWS is dedicated to building a No Kill Chicago where all healthy and treatable pets are saved. Since 1997 when PAWS was founded, the number of homeless animals euthanized per year in Chicago has dropped by over 90.5 percent. But there is still more work to be done and your generosity is crucial. 

Please support me by making a donation to help PAWS Chicago provide vital medical care, food and shelter to thousands of homeless pets this year. PAWS receives no government funding and relies solely on people like you to help build truly humane and compassionate communities, one pet at a time. 

After donating, make sure to enter the name of your employer so PAWS can check to see if they offer a matching gift program. Feel like going the extra mile? Share my page!  

Thanks for your support!