My Great Strides Story
Hannah Graves
Fundraising for Cape Elizabeth Great Strides 2026
Hannah Graves
I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis 26 years ago, when I was only 3 days old. When I was diagnosed, my life expectancy was in the 30s. Now, people with CF are living to double that age.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to take over your body, mainly the lungs and pancreas. The mucus makes it difficult to breathe, easy become very sick, and even for organs to stop working properly.
In 2019, my lung functions would not rise above 35% no matter what I did. I was in the hospital 4-5 times a year, with each admission being 2 weeks for IV antibiotics and intense airway clearance treatments. Then, the FDA approved Trikafta, a prescription medication that has completely changed my life.
Within a month of starting Trikafta, my lung functions went to 65%, where they have stayed for the past 6 years. I no long do any airway clearance treatments or take any other medications for my CF. I also have no been hospitalized or needed antibiotics of any kind since starting Trikafta.
Without Trikafta, the last 6 years would have been filled with more doctors, treatments, medications, long hospitalizations, and possibly even a lung transplant. Instead, in the last 6 years, I have graduated college with a degree in biology, married my wonderful husband, gave birth to our 2 beautiful daughters, and built a house.
Currently, I work full time in a hospital at a job that I love, while my husband, Peter, homeschools our daughters, Harper and Maggie, while taking care of our many animals, including chickens, ducks, a bunny, and a dog, with many more in our future I'm sure.
I am so grateful for all the donations and support over the years that has made the research and development of this medication possible because it has completely changed my life for the better. However, not everyone is as lucky as I am. Some people are still waiting for their miracle. Whether it be because of their CF gene mutation, or a reaction to other medications, there are still thousands of people with CF who are desperately hoping for a treatment that will prolong their life and also increase their quality of life. There is no cure yet, but I am confident that because of the advances we have made through fundraising and research, I will now live to see one.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to take over your body, mainly the lungs and pancreas. The mucus makes it difficult to breathe, easy become very sick, and even for organs to stop working properly.
In 2019, my lung functions would not rise above 35% no matter what I did. I was in the hospital 4-5 times a year, with each admission being 2 weeks for IV antibiotics and intense airway clearance treatments. Then, the FDA approved Trikafta, a prescription medication that has completely changed my life.
Within a month of starting Trikafta, my lung functions went to 65%, where they have stayed for the past 6 years. I no long do any airway clearance treatments or take any other medications for my CF. I also have no been hospitalized or needed antibiotics of any kind since starting Trikafta.
Without Trikafta, the last 6 years would have been filled with more doctors, treatments, medications, long hospitalizations, and possibly even a lung transplant. Instead, in the last 6 years, I have graduated college with a degree in biology, married my wonderful husband, gave birth to our 2 beautiful daughters, and built a house.
Currently, I work full time in a hospital at a job that I love, while my husband, Peter, homeschools our daughters, Harper and Maggie, while taking care of our many animals, including chickens, ducks, a bunny, and a dog, with many more in our future I'm sure.
I am so grateful for all the donations and support over the years that has made the research and development of this medication possible because it has completely changed my life for the better. However, not everyone is as lucky as I am. Some people are still waiting for their miracle. Whether it be because of their CF gene mutation, or a reaction to other medications, there are still thousands of people with CF who are desperately hoping for a treatment that will prolong their life and also increase their quality of life. There is no cure yet, but I am confident that because of the advances we have made through fundraising and research, I will now live to see one.
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