Dear Friends and Family,

As we prepare for this year’s CF Great Strides walk, I find myself reflecting on how far this journey has taken our family and our community.

For the past 18 years, with the incredible support of friends, family, and so many generous supporters, Team Peterson has raised more than $500,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. That number represents so much more than fundraising.  It represents hope, progress, and the power of people coming together for something bigger than themselves.

This year feels especially meaningful for our family. Catherine will be graduating from Riverside High School and heading to Michigan State University in the fall, where she plans to major in psychology. Her hope is to one day give back to the CF community by helping children who face the mental health challenges that often come with living with a chronic illness — particularly anxiety and depression.

Watching Catherine navigate the highs and lows of living with cystic fibrosis has taught our family more than we could have ever imagined. We have truly learned about resilience, perspective, gratitude, and the strength that comes from community.

Over the years, we’ve seen incredible progress in treatments and therapies that once felt impossible. But while we celebrate how far we’ve come, we also know the journey isn’t over. A cure is still out of reach, and every person living with CF continues to face daily challenges that most people never see.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic, life-shortening disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. Every person with CF experiences it differently, but one thing remains the same — the fight continues until a cure is found.

This year’s walk may be one of the last Great Strides walks for Team Peterson, which makes it even more special for us. We would be honored if you joined us one more time.  Whether by walking with us, supporting the team, or simply cheering us on.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has walked beside us over the years, donated, encouraged us, and believed in a future where CF stands for Cure Found.

With love and gratitude,
Team Peterson