My Great Strides Story
Caitlin McLean
Fundraising for Buffalo Great Strides 2026
Caitlin McLean
Thirty one years. Thats how long I had to spend with my brother. He had just turned 33 when he passed, which statistically is much longer than most battling CF. It was May of 2018 when I lost my best friend, my hero.
There isn't a single day that goes by where I don't think about him. Jay was more than his diagnosis. He was funny, strong, and the kind of person who could light up a room even while carrying battles most people could never imagine. Behind the smiles and laughter was a lifetime of treatments, hospital visits, medications, and the exhausting reality of fighting simply to breathe.
That's why I walk.
On May 17th, I'll be participating in Great Strides for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Jay and every family affected by this disease. I walk for the siblings who became caregivers, for the parents who would do anything for one more day, and for the people living with CF who continue to fight with an incredible silent courage every single day.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has helped change the future of this disease through groundbreaking research, specialized care, and life-extending treatments. Because of organizations like this, people with CF are living longer and fuller lives than ever before, but there is still no cure. That's why every donation, no matter the amount, helps move us closer to a world where no family has to experience the loss that mine did. If you're able to donate, share, or support in any way, it would mean more than I can put into words.
Thank you for helping keep Jay's memory alive and for helping give hope to families still in this fight. For Jay. Always.
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