My Great Strides Story
Crystal McDonald
Fundraising for Houston Great Strides 2026
Crystal McDonald
Hi friends! My CF journey is a bit unusual. Born in the ’80s, there wasn’t much testing being done on newborns back then. Even today, newborn screening mainly checks for elevated levels of a pancreatic protein. In addition to CF being a rare disease (40K in the U.S./100K worldwide), I’m also in the 10–15% of people with CF who luckily have no pancreatic issues, which is probably what contributed to it taking 40+ years for me to be diagnosed.
After YEARS of lung issues — starting with chronic coughing as a baby and continuing my whole life, leading to my nickname on the softball field being “Black Lung,” and diagnoses ranging from bad allergies and asthma to bronchiectasis in 2015 — I finally got answers.
After a couple of really rough health years, I found out about National Jewish Health, where I was finally able to put a name to what I had: Cystic Fibrosis. I was diagnosed about 3 months ago.
To say it’s been a roller coaster of emotions would be an understatement, but there is HOPE! Research has come so far for this disease despite how rare it is. There are now treatments available to me that so many before me were not lucky enough to have. I feel it’s only appropriate to dive in headfirst and help continue raising funds to hopefully find a CURE for the next generation.
My first CF center appointment finally happened today, and my doctor said, “Welcome to the club. You are now part of the CF club. Embrace the community. It will help in your journey!”
So here I am — walking for a cure and looking forward to meeting others in the community! Thanks for taking the time to read my story. If you feel led to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Mostly, I’d love your prayers for all 100K people who are part of this club.
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I’m walking to help change that reality.
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.
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.
After YEARS of lung issues — starting with chronic coughing as a baby and continuing my whole life, leading to my nickname on the softball field being “Black Lung,” and diagnoses ranging from bad allergies and asthma to bronchiectasis in 2015 — I finally got answers.
After a couple of really rough health years, I found out about National Jewish Health, where I was finally able to put a name to what I had: Cystic Fibrosis. I was diagnosed about 3 months ago.
To say it’s been a roller coaster of emotions would be an understatement, but there is HOPE! Research has come so far for this disease despite how rare it is. There are now treatments available to me that so many before me were not lucky enough to have. I feel it’s only appropriate to dive in headfirst and help continue raising funds to hopefully find a CURE for the next generation.
My first CF center appointment finally happened today, and my doctor said, “Welcome to the club. You are now part of the CF club. Embrace the community. It will help in your journey!”
So here I am — walking for a cure and looking forward to meeting others in the community! Thanks for taking the time to read my story. If you feel led to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Mostly, I’d love your prayers for all 100K people who are part of this club.
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I’m walking to help change that reality.
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.
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.
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