My Great Strides Story
Anna Justice
Fundraising for Austin Great Strides 2026
Anna Justice
Hi, my name Anna and I was born with cystic fibrosis. There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis which means I have it for life. 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, I personally struggle with health flare ups from time to time, and since the age of 19 I have been managing my condition by myself due to my family dynamics.
When I decided to move out on my own I had little to no resources, no job, no insurance, no family at that point in time. I had a family friend who helped me move out here to Texas and my life has been changed for the better, but I was very close to dying on my first year.
I went a little over 9 months without medical treatments, no doctors, no medicine, was working two jobs just to make enough to afford rent and food. When I got insurance and was able to be seen again I was at 30 percent lung capacity, had a severe staff infection in my lungs, had lost over 45 lbs. I got emitted to the specialist hospital here in Austin for almost a full month, and while there was also diagnosed with extreme ptsd from my trauma from childhood.
While there I was introduced the cf foundation that helped me immensely when it came to figuring out how to afford things like medicine, grants that go towards those medicines and my breathing treatment equipment, and other resources. I appreciate this foundation very much and the research, resources, and care they have for people like me who needed it when it mattered most.
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.
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, I personally struggle with health flare ups from time to time, and since the age of 19 I have been managing my condition by myself due to my family dynamics.
When I decided to move out on my own I had little to no resources, no job, no insurance, no family at that point in time. I had a family friend who helped me move out here to Texas and my life has been changed for the better, but I was very close to dying on my first year.
I went a little over 9 months without medical treatments, no doctors, no medicine, was working two jobs just to make enough to afford rent and food. When I got insurance and was able to be seen again I was at 30 percent lung capacity, had a severe staff infection in my lungs, had lost over 45 lbs. I got emitted to the specialist hospital here in Austin for almost a full month, and while there was also diagnosed with extreme ptsd from my trauma from childhood.
While there I was introduced the cf foundation that helped me immensely when it came to figuring out how to afford things like medicine, grants that go towards those medicines and my breathing treatment equipment, and other resources. I appreciate this foundation very much and the research, resources, and care they have for people like me who needed it when it mattered most.
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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