Dear friends, family, and supporters,

My name is Hannah, and I’m 25 years old. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) when I was just 6 months old, on February 21, 2001 — a date my family will never forget. Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disease that affects roughly 40,000 people in the U.S. It causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, pancreas, liver, and other organs, making it hard to breathe, digest food, and fight infections.

To give you an idea of what life with CF feels like — imagine breathing through a straw for a full minute. That’s how hard every breath can be when our lungs fill with mucus.

Over the years, CF has touched nearly every part of my body. I take around 36 pills every single day, plus two more with every meal. I’ve had about 28 PICC lines placed for two-week hospital stays — and that’s not even counting the times I’ve been admitted with just an IV. I was diagnosed with CF-related diabetes when I was 7. I’ve had 24 sinus surgeries, countless X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and far too many broken ribs from coughing. I also live with liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, DIOS, gastroparesis, severe anxiety and depression, peripheral neuropathy, reflux, insomnia, and more.

Even with all of that, I’ve lived as normally as possible. I’ve worked jobs, driven, gone to school and even college for a bit, played softball for 14 years, been an aunt, and built a wonderful life with my amazing and supportive boyfriend. I’ve had ups and downs, but I refuse to let CF define what I can or can’t do.

Through it all, I’ve also made many friends in the CF community — some who continue to fight like me, and too many who have lost their battle. That’s why this cause means everything to me.

In 2026, I’ll be walking in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual CF Walk. My goal is to raise awareness and funds for continued research, treatments, and — one day — a cure. The progress made in the past decade has been incredible, but we’re not done yet. Every dollar truly helps improve lives and extend hope.

If you can, please consider donating or sharing my story. Your support means more than I can ever express. Together, we can make CF stand for “Cure Found.”

With love and gratitude,
Hannah Donoghue 💜
#TeamCF #CureCF #CysticFibrosisAwareness