My Great Strides Story
Maggie Jenkins
Fundraising for Birmingham Great Strides 2026
Maggie Jenkins
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. Hard to treat bacterial infections in the lungs lead to irreversible lung damage. Thick mucus in the pancreas leads to digestive issues and difficulty gaining and maintaining one’s weight. There have been many advances in the treatment and management of CF, but a cure has not been found.
The journey towards a cure is why I am walking in the Great Strides Walk on May 9th. This journey is personal to me as my brother, Hayden, and I have CF. My journey has not been easy. I culture a drug-resistant bacteria in my lungs called NTM. Currently I am on a rigorous antibiotic regimen to treat the NTM which has been slow to respond to therapy. This past year has been a journey balancing the treatment of bacteria while managing the effects of the drugs on my body Damage over the years to my lungs has led me to the lung transplant team at Duke University. In May I had an evaluation, and it was determined that I am too early for transplant. It was their recommendation that I follow up with them every three months in case a transplant becomes necessary.
I am on the newest modulator, Alyftrek, which is designed to correct the defect causing CF at the cellular level. This drug will not reverse damage to my lungs but will hopefully provide stability and preserve the function that I have. This drug is not perfect and does not work for everyone – that is why we must continue to fund the research that is ongoing to make CF stand for CURE FOUND.
The progression of my disease led me to reevaluate my course of studies at UAB. In the fall, I enrolled in the culinary program at Jefferson State with the goal of a degree in baking and pastries. In October, I began working at Bandit, a local French pastry shop. It is in this change that I have further developed my love for baking and found a new love for French pastries. Your support of the Foundation plays a vital role in improving and maintaining my health so my dreams of being a pastry chef can become a reality.
The journey towards a cure is why I am walking in the Great Strides Walk on May 9th. This journey is personal to me as my brother, Hayden, and I have CF. My journey has not been easy. I culture a drug-resistant bacteria in my lungs called NTM. Currently I am on a rigorous antibiotic regimen to treat the NTM which has been slow to respond to therapy. This past year has been a journey balancing the treatment of bacteria while managing the effects of the drugs on my body Damage over the years to my lungs has led me to the lung transplant team at Duke University. In May I had an evaluation, and it was determined that I am too early for transplant. It was their recommendation that I follow up with them every three months in case a transplant becomes necessary.
I am on the newest modulator, Alyftrek, which is designed to correct the defect causing CF at the cellular level. This drug will not reverse damage to my lungs but will hopefully provide stability and preserve the function that I have. This drug is not perfect and does not work for everyone – that is why we must continue to fund the research that is ongoing to make CF stand for CURE FOUND.
The progression of my disease led me to reevaluate my course of studies at UAB. In the fall, I enrolled in the culinary program at Jefferson State with the goal of a degree in baking and pastries. In October, I began working at Bandit, a local French pastry shop. It is in this change that I have further developed my love for baking and found a new love for French pastries. Your support of the Foundation plays a vital role in improving and maintaining my health so my dreams of being a pastry chef can become a reality.
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