It's hard to believe that on May 9th we will participate in the 24th consecutive Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's (CF) Great Strides Walk. Twenty four years ago, our niece Deirdre was diagnosed with CF shortly after her birth. Our first CF walk back in 2001 was just the two of us along with Catherine and Robert in a stroller. To look at Deirdre you would never imagine that she is so sick, and while progress has been made on treatment - the fact remains that CF is a disease with no known cure. Deirdre has benefited greatly from Trikafta, a drug developed here in Massachusetts at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, but this drug is only for a particular type of CF - so much work remains. Trikafta was developed through a joint partnership with Vertex and the CF Foundation's non-profit drug discovery affiliate.

Advances like Trikafta are only possible with funding dedicated to research. That's why organizations like the CF Foundation - where more than 90 cents of every dollar goes to direct research - are more important than ever.

One day soon we hope it won't be necessary to ask family and friends to help in this way, but until that day, we are grateful that Deirdre and others with CF can count on the generosity of so many.

You can support me!

By supporting my fundraising goal, you have an opportunity in your lifetime to be part of ending this disease. Please consider joining us and help make medical history.