If you have landed on this page, you probably know a little about our story but for those who don't, I will share a little more about what CF is, how it affects our family, and why this walk is so important to us. I am the mother of two girls, Kelsie (14) and Mackenzie (9), both of whom were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. Cystic fibrosis is a chronic, progressive and incurable disease that is mostly problematic in the lungs and pancreas. 
 

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects chloride transfer in the body which changes the cells ability to bring water to the cell surface. This affects every system in the body but most significantly impacts the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, respiratory secretions and mucous are thicker and stickier and more difficult to clear. When mucous sticks around in the airways, it can attract bacteria leading to chronic infections and inflammation which, over time, can impair the lungs ability to function properly. CF also impairs digestion due to the inability of the pancreas to release digestive enzymes that aid in digestion and absorption of key nutrients. Therefore, people with CF often have GI issues and have trouble gaining and maintaining a healthy weight. Most people with CF, including both of my children, are pancreatic insufficient and must take a large number of pills called enzymes every time they eat in order to properly digest and absorb their food. 
 

Even though I had learned about CF in nursing school and had even taken care of patients with CF when I worked as a nurse in the Children's hospital, I came face to face with a whole new meaning of CF when my first child was diagnosed with this disease at just 2 weeks of age. No amount of book knowledge could prepare my heart for the heaviness of this diagnosis or for what it would mean to manage this chronic illness for my child on a day to day basis. When our 2nd daughter was born almost 5 years later, we were devastated to learn that she also had CF and would also battle this disease for the rest of her life, just like her sister. 

When our girls were born, we were told the life expectancy of child with CF was in the early 30s. This was a very hard pill to swallow and even though we never let that fear consume us and always remained determined, hopeful, and expectant for both of them to live happy and full life, the thought of it has always lived somewhere in the background. The good news, however, is that because of the INCREDIBLE work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and fundraisers just like this one, great strides have been made to drastically improve the lives of those with CF. Over the course of the past 14 years since we have been on this journey, we have witnessed the development of a number of life-changing therapies that have dramatically improved both the quality of life and the life-expectancy for many battling this disease and we have watched that number grow by 20-30 years!

However, as grateful as we are for how these therapies have benefited our children, there is still no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF are devastated by this disease, struggle to breathe and fight life-threatening infections that leads to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure. I am walking to help change that reality with hopes that one day our fundraising efforts will lead researchers to a cure for CF. By donating to this cause, you are helping to advance the research and science that is necessary to develop new therapies so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long and healthy life.   

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! Both for my 2 girls and for everyone with CF.  Please consider donating to help this dream become a reality in my girls' lifetime. And come walk with us at Great Strides in Cary on May 17th! 

To walk with us, go here: https://fundraise.cff.org/Trianglenc2025
Then: Click Register, and under "Join a Team", search Team Take It Away 
then join us at 9am on May 17th for a fun morning in support of all of those who have CF and everyone who is fighting for a cure! Anyone who raises $100 will have a shirt waiting for them on walk day!

With deepest gratitude,

Kimberly