On June 18th of this year, I will be ELEVEN YEARS post lung transplant!

I am incredibly grateful for the selfless gift from my donor, but it’s important to remember that a transplant is NOT A CURE for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Every day, I continue to face complicated gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, sinusitis, osteoporosis and vestibular damage caused by years of necessary antibiotic use. In November 2024, due to my CF-related diabetes and nearly a decade of anti-rejection medications, I had only 9% kidney function remaining and needed a kidney transplant (Thanks, Dad!!). Despite all of these challenges, I am one of the lucky ones. Sadly, we keep losing friends to this relentless disease and its multitude of comorbidities. There have been many tears along the way.

But there is hope. Thanks in large part to the CF Foundation’s funded research, I have been taking CF modulator medications (Trikafta and now Alyftrek) for six years. These medications have made a remarkable difference, nearly eliminating the sinus and lung infections I used to get even after my lung transplant. However, not everyone with CF benefits from current therapies due to rare mutations, and a true cure is still needed.

Finding a cure will take time, funding, and persistence — but with your support, we are ready to go the distance. That’s why I will be walking in the CF Foundation’s Great Strides event on May 16th.

I know times are tough, but every dollar, no matter how small, brings us closer to a cure. Can I count on you to make a donation? I hope to live to see the day when CF stands for “Cure Found!” By supporting my fundraising goal, you help advance the research and science that will bring our shared dream closer — a cure for everyone with CF.

Thank you for standing with me.