My Great Strides Story
Fundraising for Valdosta Great Strides
Ashley Watkins
As some of you may know, Our journey began in May of 2023 when Devon and I welcomed our beautiful baby girl Rylee into this world. Little did we know that in less than a month after she made her debut our lives would change so drastically. One day before Rylee turned a month old she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Shortly thereafter, Ashley and I began to see first hand just how physically, mentally, and financially costly this disease can be. Through months of recurring medications, treatments, tests, and traveling to Jacksonville for doctor’s appointments with her specialists Rylee has taken it all like a champ. Now that Rylee is 2 years old, she has been accepted to take Trikafta! The medication Trikafta would not be here if it were not for the contributions to CF research done through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She has inspired Devon and I so much that we want to do more to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis and support future research to hopefully find a cure one day!
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.
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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