My Great Strides Story
Laurel, Buster & Gracie Douglas
Fundraising for San Diego Great Strides
Laurel, Buster & Gracie Douglas
It’s been a while since I last reached out to our incredible Buster’s Buddies community, but the fight against cystic fibrosis continues, and so does our unwavering commitment to finding a cure.
As many of you know, the past few years have brought significant changes to our family—most notably, our divorce. Since then, we’ve each been finding our footing in new roles as we reshape our lives. It’s not a path I ever imagined, but it’s the one we’re on. I show up every day because our children are watching, learning from how we navigate difficult moments. I want them to see that love, honesty, and self-respect matter—not just when things are easy, but especially when they’re hard.
Buster has faced more than his share of challenges from day one. Hours of breathing treatments, tens of thousands of pills, and hundreds of blood draws have shaped him into a resilient young man well beyond his almost twelve years. Throughout it all, Gracie has remained his biggest cheerleader, playing beside him during treatments and lifting his spirits every step of the way. As their mom, I am doing everything I can to provide them both with stability, safety, and the unwavering love they deserve. For Buster, who lives with cystic fibrosis, that love means fighting every day for his health and his future.
Cystic fibrosis is a relentless disease. It affects his lungs, his digestion, his energy, and his everyday life. There is no cure—yet. But there is hope. Thanks to advancements in treatments, life expectancy for those with CF has increased to 61 years—an incredible change from the 37 years they once predicted for Buster when I was pregnant with him. These breakthroughs have been made possible by supporters like you, whose contributions help fuel the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The Foundation follows a venture philanthropy model, strategically investing in research, biotech and genetic engineering companies to accelerate the development of new treatments. Rather than waiting for breakthroughs, they actively help fund them, reinvesting any returns directly into the mission to find a cure. This model has led to amazing advancements over the past decade and has positioned Cystic Fibrosis as one of the diseases that experts believe will be cured or effectively controlled in the next decade.
As our family adjusts to these new roles, I feel incredibly grateful to work at Re:Align Tenant Strategies, where I help place biotech companies in spaces that allow them to do the groundbreaking work of developing cures—cystic fibrosis among them. It’s a full-circle moment for me: advocating for Buster at home and supporting the science that could change his future at work.
There are parents like me, navigating this relentless journey one step at a time, each day filled with hope and fear in equal measure. And we are not alone. We are surrounded by a community that lifts us up when we feel like we can't take another step, who remind us that even in the toughest moments, we are stronger together. It's in the shared tears, the shared smiles, and the unwavering belief that, no matter how long the road is, every single effort counts. Together, we are more than just a group of people—we are a force for change. And together, we can make a real, lasting difference in the lives of those we love.
On Saturday, June 7, we’ll be walking in the Great Strides Walk in San Diego to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.This walk isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a promise to Buster that we will never stop fighting for him. It’s a symbol of resilience, hope, and a future we believe in.
We would be so grateful if you would consider donating or joining our team for the walk. Your support means the world to us—and to everyone affected by this disease. If you’re not in San Diego your support from afar is just as meaningful. Every gift brings us one step closer to a cure.
👉 fundraise.cff.org/SanDiego2025/bustersbuddies
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for standing with us. Our children are watching, and I want them to know that even in heartbreak, there is strength. Even in struggle, there is love. Although life has taken unexpected turns, I believe in the power of community—of love showing up when it’s needed most. Thank you for being part of ours.
Together, we can make great strides!
As many of you know, the past few years have brought significant changes to our family—most notably, our divorce. Since then, we’ve each been finding our footing in new roles as we reshape our lives. It’s not a path I ever imagined, but it’s the one we’re on. I show up every day because our children are watching, learning from how we navigate difficult moments. I want them to see that love, honesty, and self-respect matter—not just when things are easy, but especially when they’re hard.
Buster has faced more than his share of challenges from day one. Hours of breathing treatments, tens of thousands of pills, and hundreds of blood draws have shaped him into a resilient young man well beyond his almost twelve years. Throughout it all, Gracie has remained his biggest cheerleader, playing beside him during treatments and lifting his spirits every step of the way. As their mom, I am doing everything I can to provide them both with stability, safety, and the unwavering love they deserve. For Buster, who lives with cystic fibrosis, that love means fighting every day for his health and his future.
Cystic fibrosis is a relentless disease. It affects his lungs, his digestion, his energy, and his everyday life. There is no cure—yet. But there is hope. Thanks to advancements in treatments, life expectancy for those with CF has increased to 61 years—an incredible change from the 37 years they once predicted for Buster when I was pregnant with him. These breakthroughs have been made possible by supporters like you, whose contributions help fuel the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The Foundation follows a venture philanthropy model, strategically investing in research, biotech and genetic engineering companies to accelerate the development of new treatments. Rather than waiting for breakthroughs, they actively help fund them, reinvesting any returns directly into the mission to find a cure. This model has led to amazing advancements over the past decade and has positioned Cystic Fibrosis as one of the diseases that experts believe will be cured or effectively controlled in the next decade.
As our family adjusts to these new roles, I feel incredibly grateful to work at Re:Align Tenant Strategies, where I help place biotech companies in spaces that allow them to do the groundbreaking work of developing cures—cystic fibrosis among them. It’s a full-circle moment for me: advocating for Buster at home and supporting the science that could change his future at work.
There are parents like me, navigating this relentless journey one step at a time, each day filled with hope and fear in equal measure. And we are not alone. We are surrounded by a community that lifts us up when we feel like we can't take another step, who remind us that even in the toughest moments, we are stronger together. It's in the shared tears, the shared smiles, and the unwavering belief that, no matter how long the road is, every single effort counts. Together, we are more than just a group of people—we are a force for change. And together, we can make a real, lasting difference in the lives of those we love.
On Saturday, June 7, we’ll be walking in the Great Strides Walk in San Diego to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.This walk isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a promise to Buster that we will never stop fighting for him. It’s a symbol of resilience, hope, and a future we believe in.
We would be so grateful if you would consider donating or joining our team for the walk. Your support means the world to us—and to everyone affected by this disease. If you’re not in San Diego your support from afar is just as meaningful. Every gift brings us one step closer to a cure.
👉 fundraise.cff.org/SanDiego2025/bustersbuddies
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for standing with us. Our children are watching, and I want them to know that even in heartbreak, there is strength. Even in struggle, there is love. Although life has taken unexpected turns, I believe in the power of community—of love showing up when it’s needed most. Thank you for being part of ours.
Together, we can make great strides!
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