My Great Strides Story
Ann Marie Raiano
Fundraising for Lower Hudson Valley Great Strides 2026
Ann Marie Raiano
Spring 2026
Hello Team Raiano!
Spring seems to finally have arrived!
Our annual CF Walk is coming up on Sunday, May 17th at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown. This year feels especially meaningful.
For over 35 years, I’ve been a volunteer with the CF Foundation and part of this incredible community of families walking for such a special cause. I still remember when we first started—walking with young Chris and Amanda, surrounded by friends and family who showed up to support us.
As the years went on, their friends joined in, and our support team—many of whom have been with us since the very beginning—continued to walk beside us every step of the way.
Now here we are in 2026. Chris and Amanda have families of their own, and we’ll all be walking together again.
All of these blessings were once just a dream of mine. To say I am forever grateful and humbled is truly an understatement.
Chris is now a dad to two beautiful boys and 8 years post-transplant. Amanda is a mom to her almost 1-year-old and doing amazing. Watching them build their lives and families is something I once only dreamed of.
Life is very different as a CF Mom these days—I’m now a “Mema” to three beautiful grandsons. It still feels surreal, and they brighten our lives every single day. Chris and Amanda have always been my heroes, and they continue to prove in their daily lives that CF does not define them.
Because of research and progress made by the CF Foundation over the past 35+ years, so much has changed. Today, the median predicted survival age for people living with CF is now 56—and we continue to hope and pray that a cure is within reach.
I hope you’ll consider joining us on May 17th, whether in person or in spirit. Please share our story, spread awareness about CF, and consider the importance of organ donation.
https://fundraise.cff.org/LHV2026/teamraiano
The CF Foundation has come so far—and won’t stop until a cure is found.
💙
Forever grateful,
Hello Team Raiano!
Spring seems to finally have arrived!
Our annual CF Walk is coming up on Sunday, May 17th at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown. This year feels especially meaningful.
For over 35 years, I’ve been a volunteer with the CF Foundation and part of this incredible community of families walking for such a special cause. I still remember when we first started—walking with young Chris and Amanda, surrounded by friends and family who showed up to support us.
As the years went on, their friends joined in, and our support team—many of whom have been with us since the very beginning—continued to walk beside us every step of the way.
Now here we are in 2026. Chris and Amanda have families of their own, and we’ll all be walking together again.
All of these blessings were once just a dream of mine. To say I am forever grateful and humbled is truly an understatement.
Chris is now a dad to two beautiful boys and 8 years post-transplant. Amanda is a mom to her almost 1-year-old and doing amazing. Watching them build their lives and families is something I once only dreamed of.
Life is very different as a CF Mom these days—I’m now a “Mema” to three beautiful grandsons. It still feels surreal, and they brighten our lives every single day. Chris and Amanda have always been my heroes, and they continue to prove in their daily lives that CF does not define them.
Because of research and progress made by the CF Foundation over the past 35+ years, so much has changed. Today, the median predicted survival age for people living with CF is now 56—and we continue to hope and pray that a cure is within reach.
I hope you’ll consider joining us on May 17th, whether in person or in spirit. Please share our story, spread awareness about CF, and consider the importance of organ donation.
https://fundraise.cff.org/LHV2026/teamraiano
The CF Foundation has come so far—and won’t stop until a cure is found.
💙
Forever grateful,
Comments