My Great Strides Story
melissa freeman larson
Fundraising for Milwaukee Great Strides 2026
melissa freeman larson
Welcome back and thank you to those of you who continue to visit my Great Strides page year after year, and continue to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
This year is a big year, as Colton turns 18 this year! When he was born, they told us the life expectancy for people living with CF was 36-38 years old. Colton would be halfway through his life expectancy right now, but yet at the prime of his life. Colton is doing amazingly well!! His miracle drug, Trikafta, has been life changing and has really allowed Colton to live his life to the fullest. This past year, he not only continued to race 4 wheelers, but also took up racing snowmobiles through the winter. He also has started an apprenticeship as a heavy machine mechanic, with Reesman Excavating. He is looking forward to the future, something we used to dread.
And even though Colton's future is looking good, that doesn't mean he is out of the woods. He still takes medication with every meal, still has to do breathing treatments, and takes his Trikafta twice a day. He still had regular doctor appointments at Children's to check his lung function and to stay on top of his health.
And even though Trikafta has been a life changer.....there are still so many drugs being tested to improve the lives of everyone living with CF.
That's where you come in. Please help me continue to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to help keep awareness out there and to help fund the necessary clinical trials to continue to help everyone affected by Cystic Fibrosis. It is because of y our generosity that so many lives have been greatly improved!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Melissa
This year is a big year, as Colton turns 18 this year! When he was born, they told us the life expectancy for people living with CF was 36-38 years old. Colton would be halfway through his life expectancy right now, but yet at the prime of his life. Colton is doing amazingly well!! His miracle drug, Trikafta, has been life changing and has really allowed Colton to live his life to the fullest. This past year, he not only continued to race 4 wheelers, but also took up racing snowmobiles through the winter. He also has started an apprenticeship as a heavy machine mechanic, with Reesman Excavating. He is looking forward to the future, something we used to dread.
And even though Colton's future is looking good, that doesn't mean he is out of the woods. He still takes medication with every meal, still has to do breathing treatments, and takes his Trikafta twice a day. He still had regular doctor appointments at Children's to check his lung function and to stay on top of his health.
And even though Trikafta has been a life changer.....there are still so many drugs being tested to improve the lives of everyone living with CF.
That's where you come in. Please help me continue to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to help keep awareness out there and to help fund the necessary clinical trials to continue to help everyone affected by Cystic Fibrosis. It is because of y our generosity that so many lives have been greatly improved!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Melissa
APR
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