June 6 will mark our 23rd year participating in the Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrosis, in honor of our daughter, Alexandra, who was diagnosed at birth in 2002.  Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease that affects all cells in the body.  Most commonly it causes lung, pancreas, and digestive issues. Would you consider donating to the CF Foundation and/or joining us at the walk?  When Alexandra was born, the median life expectancy was just 33 years.  Today, it is 65 years.  This incredible progress, almost doubling the median life expectancy, is thanks to those who have donated to the CF Foundation over the years.

A few quick facts showing the progress that has been achieved in the last few  years (using the latest data from the 2024 CFF Patient Registry Highlights).

• Adults living with CF, 2001: 8,920 in 2024: 15,082
• Pregnancies among women with CF, 2010: 142 in 2024: 655
• Average Lung function (FEV, Percent Predicted) in 18-year-olds, 2003: 80% 2024: 103%
• Lung transplants, in 2003: 142 (by 2018 it had risen to 259), 2024: 61
• In 2003 there were no CFTR Modulators available (medicines that temporarily help the CFTR protein work), in 2014 only 1,207 were on CFTR Modulators and in 2024 26,539 were on CFTR Modulators.

The CF foundation continues to invest in groundbreaking research from everything from Genetic Therapies, Modulators, Anti-infective, Nutritional and many more.

From Alexandra; I have just graduated grad school with my MFA in Themed Entertainment Design. While I have had some mild colds throughout the year, overall I am doing well and continue to take several meds and monitor my CF-related diabetes with a Dexcom glucose meter and an insulin pump. For now, it is nice to be back in Maryland while I pursue career opportunities in my field.

If you are interested in joining our walk on June 6th, we will be at the Naval Academy Stadium.  Registration begins at 10 am and the walk begins at 11 am.  Arriving by 10:15 ensures you are there for our team photo.  You can register online on our webpage by clicking “Register” at the top of the page.  If you would like to make a donation to help reach our goal, you can make a secure online donation by clicking "Donate" at the top of this page. If you prefer, you may also donate by check, made out to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and mail it to Scott Clough, 1200 Cecilia Ct, Annapolis Md 21409.

Thank you for helping us in our hopes for a cure.

Scott, Wendi, and Alexandra Clough

Please visit our Great Strides page https://fundraise.cff.org/AnnapolisGS2026/Alexandras_Assembly