My Great Strides Story
Katie Tharp
Fundraising for Minneapolis Great Strides 2026
Katie Tharp
Cystic fibrosis is more than a diagnosis—it’s a battle that demands strength, resilience, and hope. When my younger sister Kristine was born in 1996, the average life expectancy for someone with cystic fibrosis was just 27 years old. That reality shaped our family’s understanding of the future in ways no one should have to face.
Thank you!
About CF:
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. There is currently no cure.
This year, Kristine is turning 30. That milestone is not something we ever took for granted—it’s something made possible by decades of research, medical breakthroughs, and, most importantly, the generosity of people who chose to give. Every donation, every step taken at events like the Great Strides Walk, has helped push the boundaries of what’s possible for those living with CF.
Donating isn’t just about funding research—it’s about giving families more time, more milestones, and more hope. It’s about turning what was once a limited future into one filled with possibility. Because of continued support, children born with cystic fibrosis today have a brighter outlook than ever before—but there is still more work to be done.
By supporting this cause, you are directly contributing to life-changing advancements and helping rewrite the story for so many families like mine. Kristine’s 30th birthday is proof that progress is real—and with your help, we can ensure that even greater milestones are still to come.
Thank you!
About CF:
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. There is currently no cure.
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