Palmer & Beckett’s Story

Palmer and Beckett are now 4 and 2 years old, and both live with cystic fibrosis (CF)—a daily challenge that touches nearly every part of their lives.
 

Each day begins and ends with medications, breathing treatments, enzymes, and therapies that cannot be skipped or delayed. While other children wake up and run outside to play, Palmer and Beckett first sit still, masked and connected to machines, doing the work required simply to breathe well. Even moments that look ordinary are shaped by CF. They cannot splash in puddles, jump into leaf piles, or explore environments that pose unseen risks. In addition to daily treatments, they have frequent medical appointments, lab draws, X-rays, and visits with specialists. Simple childhood joys require careful planning, consideration, and sometimes saying no. These are the invisible burdens of CF.
 

Palmer’s early life was marked by significant CF-related complications. Born prematurely in February 2022, she endured meconium ileus, multiple GI surgeries, a 79-day NICU stay, and intensive daily treatments. Today, Palmer is thriving—laughing, learning, and showing us every day what resilience truly looks like. She is your typical big sister: strong-willed, reserved, and observant, always paying attention to the world around her.
 

Beckett’s story reflects how far CF care has come. Diagnosed before birth in February 2024, and benefiting from prenatal exposure to Trikafta, he was born full term without complications. At 8 months, he started direct dosing Trikafta and has continued to do very well. He is your typical younger brother: funny, outgoing, and a little daredevil, always ready to test his limits and make everyone around him laugh. While his early health looked very different from his sister’s, CF is still part of his daily life, and continued progress depends on research and support.
 

Life with CF is still a daily commitment, but thanks to advances in care and therapies, Palmer and Beckett can live fuller, healthier lives than ever before. Great Strides helps make this possible—funding life-changing research, therapies, and care. Our hope is a cure for CF, so one day Palmer, Beckett, and all those battling cystic fibrosis can live life without limitations or uncertainty.

Every step, every donation, and every show of support brings us closer to that future.