For JJ and all the kiddos living with CF!
Kris Ward
Fundraising for Eastern Iowa Great Strides 2026
Kris Ward
We walk - and raise money - each year for Cystic Fibrosis research and support for JJ and for all of the kids and adults doing their best to live well with this genetic disease.
Jake says it better than I could, so here are his words:
JJ will turn 6 this May! It has been a long road since his rocky first weeks of life. After birth, JJ made it to the NICU at our local hospital. From there, they noticed he may have a bowel blockage. Weather prevented a helicopter ride, but an emergency ambulance to the University of Iowa Children's hospital, and admission to Bay 1. An emergency bowel surgery the next morning removed about 1/3 of his small intestine. Screening results confirmed Cystic Fibrosis, the blockage was a complication of his disease. We've lost count of the hospitalizations and ambulance rides since then, but on the outside, JJ is a typical 5 year old. He loves all things Hawks! He also enjoys soccer, wrestling, fishing, baseball, golf, and riding his bike! His scars are a reminder of the journey so far. He has a strict regimen of medication, treatments, and maintenance for his lungs, liver, and digestive needs. We are thankful for the medical advancements that keep him healthy, and the close eye his care team keeps on him. We know that the job is not done. We need your help fundraising for a cure.
While the CF Foundation has made incredible progress, not everyone with CF can benefit from existing therapies and we still need a cure. This will require time, funding, and persistence – but with you on our team – we are ready to go the distance.
Our team is committed to providing every person with CF the opportunity to live a long, healthy life. Will you join us?
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.
Funds tight? Prayers are appreciated too. Thank you for your support this year, and for each and every one of our village who has prayed for and supported JJ and his family since his he was born! - Kris
Jake says it better than I could, so here are his words:
JJ will turn 6 this May! It has been a long road since his rocky first weeks of life. After birth, JJ made it to the NICU at our local hospital. From there, they noticed he may have a bowel blockage. Weather prevented a helicopter ride, but an emergency ambulance to the University of Iowa Children's hospital, and admission to Bay 1. An emergency bowel surgery the next morning removed about 1/3 of his small intestine. Screening results confirmed Cystic Fibrosis, the blockage was a complication of his disease. We've lost count of the hospitalizations and ambulance rides since then, but on the outside, JJ is a typical 5 year old. He loves all things Hawks! He also enjoys soccer, wrestling, fishing, baseball, golf, and riding his bike! His scars are a reminder of the journey so far. He has a strict regimen of medication, treatments, and maintenance for his lungs, liver, and digestive needs. We are thankful for the medical advancements that keep him healthy, and the close eye his care team keeps on him. We know that the job is not done. We need your help fundraising for a cure.
While the CF Foundation has made incredible progress, not everyone with CF can benefit from existing therapies and we still need a cure. This will require time, funding, and persistence – but with you on our team – we are ready to go the distance.
Our team is committed to providing every person with CF the opportunity to live a long, healthy life. Will you join us?
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.
Funds tight? Prayers are appreciated too. Thank you for your support this year, and for each and every one of our village who has prayed for and supported JJ and his family since his he was born! - Kris
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