My Great Strides Story
Rick Stevens
Fundraising for Nashua Great Strides 2026
Rick Stevens
This year marks the 17th time our family and friends are walking to raise money in memory of my daughter Brittany, who died in September 2009 at the age of 19 from complications caused by Cystic Fibrosis ("CF"). CF is a genetic 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.
Despite being on the planet less than 20 years, Brittany was always smiling, and she had a seemingly endless list of amazing accomplishments such as (i) earning national championships in competitive cheerleader (both individually and as part of a team), (ii) winning election as President of her Sophomore class in high school as a write-in candidate who decided to run the night before the election, and (iii) making Dean's List and being elected Vice President of her class during her freshman year at Wheelock College despite being incredibly sick and passing away a few months after the school year ended.
In honor of one of Brittany's final requests that we never forget her, every year since her passing a team of family and friends have participated in Great Strides fundraising events in her name. Funds we have raised have been used by the CF Foundation for research and development of new medical breakthroughs to significantly increase the length and quality of the lives of those battling CF. But there still is no cure, and we continue to walk and raise money in Brittany's name to help change the meaning of "CF" to "Cure Found"!
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 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.
Despite being on the planet less than 20 years, Brittany was always smiling, and she had a seemingly endless list of amazing accomplishments such as (i) earning national championships in competitive cheerleader (both individually and as part of a team), (ii) winning election as President of her Sophomore class in high school as a write-in candidate who decided to run the night before the election, and (iii) making Dean's List and being elected Vice President of her class during her freshman year at Wheelock College despite being incredibly sick and passing away a few months after the school year ended.
In honor of one of Brittany's final requests that we never forget her, every year since her passing a team of family and friends have participated in Great Strides fundraising events in her name. Funds we have raised have been used by the CF Foundation for research and development of new medical breakthroughs to significantly increase the length and quality of the lives of those battling CF. But there still is no cure, and we continue to walk and raise money in Brittany's name to help change the meaning of "CF" to "Cure Found"!
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 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.
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