Hello friends,

My name is Nolan Hess. I love my family, my dogs, I love golf and being outside, doing crafts and currently my favorite movie is Monsters Inc. I am a little shy, but I sure am mighty! Living with Cystic Fibrosis is not for the weak. Each day, I start my morning with 20 minutes of Vest Physio Therapy—a machine shakes my body to help clear mucus from my airways, lungs, and other organs.

I also have to eat a high-fat diet because my body burns up to 1.5x more energy than most people’s, and I take a lot of medication to stay healthy. Since I don’t have a functioning pancreas, I need enzyme pills to absorb food, plus a life-changing medication called TRIKAFTA that helps lessen my symptoms. This medicine costs $326,000 a year, so good health insurance is a must! By the end of the day, I’ve taken about 20-24 pills and done another round of Vest therapy for 20 minutes before bedtime.

Despite these challenges, I stay active and keep moving—it’s so important for my health! Now that you know a little bit about me, I’d love for you to join my family and friends on May 17, 2025, at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for a walk to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We raise money to develop new medications and treatments that help people like me live easier, longer lives—and ultimately, to find a cure!

This could be a great family day, with early zoo entry and some pretty cool T-shirts from my family. If you’re free, join us! TEAM NOLAN PATROL IS ON A ROLL!

With gratitude,
Nolan Hess