I run because I was given a second chance — and I’m determined to make the most of it.
 

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system, making it hard to breathe and absorb nutrients. For decades, life expectancy was short (late twenties/early thirties). Growing up with CF, I spent countless hours on treatments and was in and out of the hospital regularly. Physical fitness helped stabilize my health in my teens, but by my mid-20s, my lung function was steadily declining — despite doing everything right.
 

Then came Trikafta in 2018 — a breakthrough therapy that changed my life. My lung function, weight, and overall quality of life began to improve in ways I hadn’t thought possible. That breakthrough didn’t happen by chance. It was made possible in large part by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), whose early funding and vision helped launch Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ CF program, ultimately leading to the development of modulator therapies like Trikafta.
 

I believe that with this gift of better health comes a personal responsibility — to give back and join in the fight to drive the next wave of progress. There are still many people with CF who have genetic mutations that don’t respond to current therapies, many who cannot afford treatment, and many more depending on future innovations to save their lives.
 

Years ago, I decided to try and make a difference by channeling the one thing that helped stabilize my health when I was younger — physical fitness. After running the NYC Half in 2023 and the full NYC Marathon in 2024 for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, I’m now proud to run the 2025 Berlin Marathon for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Breathe Team — to give back for the role they’ve played in my life and support our shared mission to find a cure.
 

Your support fuels the science that changes lives — mine included.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.