My Great Strides Story
Mark Levine
Fundraising for Metro Detroit Great Strides 2026
Mark Levine
I want to share a personal update with you as we head into this year’s Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk.
When I was just two years old, I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Shortly after that, my younger brother David was born—and he, too, had CF. David’s lungs failed him at the age of 18. He received a heart and lung transplant, but complications from rejection ultimately took his life at just 21 years old.
That loss continues to fuel my commitment to this cause.
For nearly 20 years, I’ve participated in the Great Strides Walk because I believe—deeply—that we can and will find a cure for CF. And the progress we’re seeing today proves that belief is justified.
Here’s how I continue to stay involved:
Being part of that trial—and now seeing the medication available to others—has been incredibly meaningful. It’s a direct reminder that fundraising dollars turn into real treatments, real progress, and real lives extended.
Now, I’m asking for your support once again.
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.
When I was just two years old, I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Shortly after that, my younger brother David was born—and he, too, had CF. David’s lungs failed him at the age of 18. He received a heart and lung transplant, but complications from rejection ultimately took his life at just 21 years old.
That loss continues to fuel my commitment to this cause.
For nearly 20 years, I’ve participated in the Great Strides Walk because I believe—deeply—that we can and will find a cure for CF. And the progress we’re seeing today proves that belief is justified.
Here’s how I continue to stay involved:
- Team Leader for Great Strides — Team Levine has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years to support CF research
- Volunteer with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation — serving in leadership roles at the local chapter level
- Clinical Trial Participant — helping advance treatments for the CF community
Being part of that trial—and now seeing the medication available to others—has been incredibly meaningful. It’s a direct reminder that fundraising dollars turn into real treatments, real progress, and real lives extended.
Now, I’m asking for your support once again.
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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