

My Great Strides Story
Fundraising for Dallas Great Strides 2026
Zelie Keating
Shortly after she was born, our sweet and strong Zelie was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare genetic condition that affects the lungs, digestion, and other organs.
In the CF community, there’s a beautiful story behind the phrase “sixty-five roses.” When a child once struggled to pronounce “cystic fibrosis,” he called it “sixty-five roses,” and the rose became a symbol of resilience, beauty, and courage in the face of challenges. That symbolism is especially meaningful to us. Zelie is named after St. Zélie Martin, whose daughter, St. Thérèse—the “Little Flower”—spoke of letting fall a shower of roses from heaven as signs of love and hope. To our family, roses have always been reminders of comfort, hope, and little miracles. Our Zelie is one of those roses.
While there have been incredible advances in treatment, cystic fibrosis currently has no cure. Daily life with CF often includes ongoing therapies, medications, and specialized care to support long-term health.
That’s why we’re walking and why we’re asking for support.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is leading the way in funding groundbreaking research, advancing treatments, and moving us closer to a cure.
By supporting Team Zelie, you are:
• Helping fund research for new and better therapies
• Supporting the often expensive specialized care for those living with CF
• Bringing us one step closer to a cure
Most of all, you are standing with our family and many others!
St. Zélie commonly said, “Carry on bravely.”
That’s exactly what we plan to do one day at a time, with hope, faith, and the support of this incredible community.
Thank you for loving Zelie, praying for her, and walking alongside us. 🌹💜
T Shirt Link: https://www.bonfire.com/cf-fundraising-team-zelie160/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=campaign_page&utm_campaign=cf-fundraising-team-zelie160&utm_content=default







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