Celebrating 30 Years of Great Strides, Walking, Fighting, and Breathing.
 

Hi,

This year marks a milestone that means the world to me. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just 9 months old, and from that moment on, CF became a part of every chapter of my life.
 

I spent much of my childhood at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA, where I adored my pediatric doctor, Dr. Paul Gerstmann — lovingly known as Dr. Whiskers because of his wonderfully long white beard. His care and compassion helped me defy the odds. In fact, because of his dedication, I surpassed the three‑year lifespan my parents were given when I was first diagnosed.
 

And it wasn’t just the doctors who carried me through. The nurses and hospital staff who cared for me — many of whom remain friends today — helped me through countless long days and nights in the hospital. Their love, humor, and steady presence made the hardest moments survivable. I truly couldn’t have made it through those years without them.
 

As an adult, I received most of my care at Tacoma General Hospital, where I was fortunate enough to have another extraordinary doctor, Dr. Arthur Knodel. For 30 years, he guided me through some of the hardest and most hopeful moments of my life. He recently retired, but he will always be my friend and part of my story — and one of the reasons I’m still here today.
 

I’m proud to continue my care now with my adult CF doctor, Dr. Scott Meehan, who now helps guide me through this chapter of my journey with the same compassion and dedication I’ve been blessed to receive my whole life.
 

In 1996, I started the Great Strides walk in my hometown, side by side with my employer, Gordon Rush of The Rush Companies. I was young, determined, and hopeful — hopeful that every step we took would help push research forward and create a better future for people like me.
 

Now, 30 years later, I’m still walking. Still fighting. Still believing. And I’m doing it with Team Jenny and The Rush Companies, surrounded by people who have supported me through every twist and turn of this journey.
 

Living with CF has meant years of treatments, hospital stays, laughter, fear, grit, and gratitude. It meant learning to fight for every breath — and then, in April 2016, receiving the most life‑changing gift imaginable: a double lung transplant.
 

This April, I will celebrate 10 years with my donor’s lungs — ten years of breath, ten years of moments I never thought I’d see, ten years of life made possible by a family who, in their darkest moment, chose to give someone else hope. I think of my donor family often, and because of their selfless decision, I live on.
 

This year brings another milestone I never imagined I’d reach: my 40th wedding anniversary with my biggest supporter, my husband Jeff. People thought getting married at 18 was crazy, but truthfully, I never thought I would live to see an anniversary like 40 years. Jeff has been my rock, my steady place, my everything. His love has carried me through the hardest days and made the best days even sweeter.
 

That transplant didn’t just save my life. It gave me birthdays, holidays, ordinary days, extraordinary ones — and the chance to grow old with the person I love.
 

And it’s because of decades of research, advocacy, and generosity that I’m here to tell this story.
 

Why I Walk — 30 Years, 10 New Years of Breath, and a Lifetime of Love
 

• Because I’m still here, breathing with lungs that changed everything
• Because treatments and research gave me time I never thought I’d have
• Because so many in the CF community are still waiting for their breakthrough
• Because progress is real, but the work isn’t finished
• Because I believe in a future where CF stands will stand for Cure Found

With Every Step, I Carry My People With Me
 

I also walk for my 3 brothers and my family, who have loved me fiercely, lifted me up, and stood beside me through every chapter of this journey. Their belief in me has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
 

These milestones — every single one — are shared with them. With my doctors, my nurses, my donor family, my friends, my community. With everyone who has held me up, cheered me on, and helped me keep my sparkle even on the hardest days.
 

This year, I walk with gratitude. I walk with purpose. I walk with love. And I walk with all of you.
 

Thank you for being part of my story — for every step, every donation, every share, and every bit of hope you bring to this fight.
 

With love and gratitude, 
Jenny
 

PLEASE REGISTER TO WALK ASAP, IF YOU NEED HELP PLEASE EMAIL ME AT teamcf@comcast.net
THANK YOU