My Great Strides Story
Tye Lenert
Fundraising for Columbia/Willamette Great Strides 2026
Tye Lenert
Hello! My name is Tye and I have cystic fibrosis. CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure. My childhood consisted of multiple daily breathing treatments, many various medications, and frequent admissions to the hospital for IV antibiotics. I coughed all of the time, and struggled to maintain weight. Fortunately, I do not have to deal with these things hardly at all anymore! I started Trikafta, a genetic modification medication, in November of 2019. This medication essentially "fixes" the mutated CFTR gene for twelve hours at a time! Before starting this medication, my lung function was at 65%. Just two weeks after starting it, it was up to 89%. Now my lung function ranges from 105% to 90%. My quality of life has increased dramatically since then. I have fundraisers such as this to thank for that!
Unfortunately, approximately 10% of people with CF do not qualify for this medication. There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life. By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
Unfortunately, approximately 10% of people with CF do not qualify for this medication. There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life. By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
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