My Great Strides Story
Shelby Wickwire
Fundraising for Nebraska Great Strides 2026
Shelby Wickwire
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I’m walking to help change that reality.
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.
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 far 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.
Here’s Eastons story:
Before Easton was even born, we knew something wasn’t right. At our anatomy scan on August 29th, doctors noticed signs of a bowel obstruction and possible cystic fibrosis. From that moment on, our world changed.
Easton was born on October 14th, and at just three days old he underwent surgery for a bowel obstruction. Then on October 21st, we received the diagnosis that would change our lives forever: cystic fibrosis.
Since then, life has been anything but simple. Daily life with CF is chaotic, exhausting, and overwhelming in ways most people never see. While many families can leave the house without a second thought, every outing for us comes with risks. Smoke exposure, illnesses, germs, even being around people who have been sick can become dangerous for Easton. We barely leave the house, yet he still constantly gets sick.
Our days revolve around medications, breathing treatments, enzymes, appointments, and fighting for him to grow and thrive. Easton struggles with failure to thrive and has a G-tube to help give him the nutrition his little body needs. Things most families never have to think about have become part of our everyday survival.
But through all of it, Easton is strong. Stronger than anyone should have to be at such a tiny age. He continues to fight every single day, and we walk for him — for better treatments, for awareness, and one day, for a cure.
We walk so families like ours don’t have to live in constant fear of infections, hospital stays, and what the future may hold. We walk so people understand that cystic fibrosis is more than “just a lung disease.” It affects every part of life.
Most of all, we walk for Easton — so one day kids with CF can simply live without having to fight so hard just to breathe, grow, and be kids.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with 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.
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 far 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.
Here’s Eastons story:
Before Easton was even born, we knew something wasn’t right. At our anatomy scan on August 29th, doctors noticed signs of a bowel obstruction and possible cystic fibrosis. From that moment on, our world changed.
Easton was born on October 14th, and at just three days old he underwent surgery for a bowel obstruction. Then on October 21st, we received the diagnosis that would change our lives forever: cystic fibrosis.
Since then, life has been anything but simple. Daily life with CF is chaotic, exhausting, and overwhelming in ways most people never see. While many families can leave the house without a second thought, every outing for us comes with risks. Smoke exposure, illnesses, germs, even being around people who have been sick can become dangerous for Easton. We barely leave the house, yet he still constantly gets sick.
Our days revolve around medications, breathing treatments, enzymes, appointments, and fighting for him to grow and thrive. Easton struggles with failure to thrive and has a G-tube to help give him the nutrition his little body needs. Things most families never have to think about have become part of our everyday survival.
But through all of it, Easton is strong. Stronger than anyone should have to be at such a tiny age. He continues to fight every single day, and we walk for him — for better treatments, for awareness, and one day, for a cure.
We walk so families like ours don’t have to live in constant fear of infections, hospital stays, and what the future may hold. We walk so people understand that cystic fibrosis is more than “just a lung disease.” It affects every part of life.
Most of all, we walk for Easton — so one day kids with CF can simply live without having to fight so hard just to breathe, grow, and be kids.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.
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