Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Parra
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey is deeply personal, as my family has been significantly impacted by cancer. I lost both of my grandparents to this disease, and my mother is a true thriver, having battled cancer three times. Her resilience has been a powerful source of inspiration for me, and it gives my work at Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley a profound sense of purpose.
In my early 20s, I began noticing how certain animal proteins affected my energy, which led me to experiment with a meat-free diet during Lent, inspired by my Catholic upbringing. That experience ignited a lifelong passion for nutrition and wellness. Over time, I deepened my commitment, working with Juice Plus company and becoming a certified health coach through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.
My role at Cancer Support Community allows me to focus on underserved communities, particularly BIPOC communities, where our free psychosocial services and healthy lifestyle classes are often urgently needed. In these particular communities, mental health carries a significant stigma, and people often lack access to the resources they need to cope with a cancer diagnosis and its emotional impact.
During my mother’s most recent cancer battle, I was especially involved in helping her transition to a plant-forward diet, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact that nutrition can have on health outcomes. Working at Cancer Support Community has deepened my understanding of the link between nutrition and cancer and the importance of holistic and integrative support for patients and families.
It’s been a journey filled with personal and professional growth, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring these experiences to the communities I serve, making a meaningful impact for individuals and families facing cancer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been anything but smooth. I am a first-generation U.S. citizen, raised by a single mother who immigrated here from Mexico and worked tirelessly to provide better opportunities for my sister and me. Her resilience and dedication deeply influenced me and shaped my values, especially around hard work, service, and advocating for those who need it most.
One of my most significant challenges was returning to my career after dedicating 10 years to raising my children. During that time, I never stopped advocating for underserved communities or engaging in community work, by sitting on boards, volunteering in my community, or participating in marches. Stepping back into a professional role required me to find a new balance—one that allowed me to make an impact while also being the flexible, present mother I wanted to be. Re-integrating was both empowering and challenging, as I wanted to remain actively involved in my community while still being available for my children.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, I’m proud to serve as the Community Engagement Manager at Cancer Support Community, where I specialize in outreach to underserved communities, particularly BIPOC populations where access to mental health resources is often limited. I’m known for building connections and fostering trust within these communities, which allows us to address the unique challenges individuals face and provide culturally relevant resources rooted in the languages the communities feel most comfortable in.
What sets me apart is my unique journey—growing up in an immigrant household and experiencing firsthand the challenges of navigating life’s complexities. Having seen the impact of cancer on my own family and stepping back into my career after dedicating years to raising my children, I bring both professional tenacity and personal empathy to my work. This lived experience drives my commitment to meeting people where they are and creating a more inclusive, compassionate approach that genuinely connects with the communities we serve.
I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve built and the increasing awareness in underserved communities free and without judgement. Through partnerships, education, and outreach, we’re breaking down barriers and reducing the stigma that keeps so many from seeking help. Balancing my role as a mother with my career has been challenging, but it’s been incredibly fulfilling to make a lasting impact, both for my family and my community. I’m especially proud that my children get to see me living a life of service to others, not just tending to their endless list of activities.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
For me, risk-taking has always been a balance of necessity, passion, and choice. Growing up first-generation with a single immigrant mother, I was raised to value hard work, careful planning, and stability. But I’ve also felt a deep pull toward personal growth and adventure, which has led me to embrace risks in both my personal and professional life.
Before I had children, I was definitely a risk-taker. I remember buying a one-way ticket to Costa Rica and living there for three months—an experience that shaped my outlook on life. Years later, I did something similar with my kids, buying a one-way ticket to Oaxaca, where we planned to stay for just over two weeks but ended up immersing ourselves in the community for nearly five months. Both experiences taught me about adaptability and the incredible growth that happens outside of our comfort zones.
In my professional life, my passion for health and wellness led me to take on the challenge of becoming a certified health coach. Health coaching is close to my heart, and my work with clients has reinforced my belief that sometimes we have to step outside of familiar patterns to improve our lives. It’s also given me valuable insights that I bring into my role at Cancer Support Community, where I focus on providing underserved communities with resources they often lack, particularly in the realms of mental health and psychosocial support.
One of my biggest professional risks was stepping away from my career to raise my children and then returning to the workforce after a decade. I took another risk by choosing nonprofit work, knowing it would be a challenge to find balance. Yet, both decisions allowed me to make a real impact, both at home and in the communities I care about.
I see risk as a necessary part of growth. It’s about having faith in the journey and knowing that even if things don’t go as planned, there’s always something valuable to gain. I hope that my children, watching my choices, will see that life is about embracing the unknown and that true fulfillment often lies beyond the comfort zone.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: healthy_crafting and cancersupportsgv
