Cystic fibrosis has always been more than just a medical term in my life — it has been part of my heart, my work, and my family. As a pediatric nurse, I spent years by the bedsides of children battling this relentless disease. I witnessed their fierce determination, their laughter even on the hardest days, and the quiet courage it takes to face each breath as a challenge. I held the hands of worried parents, comforted little ones through treatments, and celebrated every hard-earned milestone alongside them. But cystic fibrosis is not just something I encounter at work — it lives in my own family, too. My beloved niece Sutton (Sutter Butter) carries this burden every day, and watching her live with such strength fills me with both pride and heartache. She is a bright light, a reminder of why I chose and will continue to choose this path in the first place. Her laughter, her stubbornness, her dreams — they fuel my commitment to this fight. For me, cystic fibrosis is personal. It’s about the children I cared for, the families I supported, and the niece I love more than words can hold. It’s about hope — hope for better treatments, for breakthroughs, for a future where this disease no longer steals childhoods or dreams. Every child I’ve cared for and every breath my niece takes reminds me that love and resilience are stronger than any diagnosis.