My Xtreme Hike Story
Heidi Giusto
Fundraising for North Carolina Fall Xtreme Hike 2026
Heidi Giusto
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, and too many people with CF die young. I'm trying to do a small part to change that reality by participating again in the CF Foundation's Xtreme Hike – when I will Hike for a Cure.
My husband, Chris, and I are doing this together again.
In case you don't know, CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates 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.
While I don't have a strong personal connection to anyone with CF, I care deeply about advancing research that supports human health. This is why Chris and I—and our children— have committed ourselves to this cause. Chris and I completed the Fall 2025 Xtreme Hike and were simply blown away by the experience. We felt like what we did mattered. The dollars to impact felt tangible. We heard parents talk about how their children's lives were transformed when Trikafta came on the market. Some of the hikers who took on the grueling 30-mile hike had CF; they are an inspiration. How can I not continue to support this organization, especially because I also love hiking? I feel called to do this, even though it means missing our oldest daughter's senior homecoming this year.
So moved by our Fall 2025 experience, we volunteered as a family for the Spring 2026 hike. This time around, we weren't the oddball hikers who didn't have a connection to CF. This time, we were welcomed into the CF family—because that is what it is. Our girls fully understand why we support this cause and are eager to support it, too.
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.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
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.
Thank you so much for considering.
With gratitude,
Heidi
My husband, Chris, and I are doing this together again.
In case you don't know, CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates 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.
While I don't have a strong personal connection to anyone with CF, I care deeply about advancing research that supports human health. This is why Chris and I—and our children— have committed ourselves to this cause. Chris and I completed the Fall 2025 Xtreme Hike and were simply blown away by the experience. We felt like what we did mattered. The dollars to impact felt tangible. We heard parents talk about how their children's lives were transformed when Trikafta came on the market. Some of the hikers who took on the grueling 30-mile hike had CF; they are an inspiration. How can I not continue to support this organization, especially because I also love hiking? I feel called to do this, even though it means missing our oldest daughter's senior homecoming this year.
So moved by our Fall 2025 experience, we volunteered as a family for the Spring 2026 hike. This time around, we weren't the oddball hikers who didn't have a connection to CF. This time, we were welcomed into the CF family—because that is what it is. Our girls fully understand why we support this cause and are eager to support it, too.
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.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
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.
Thank you so much for considering.
With gratitude,
Heidi
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