My Great Strides Story
Kristen Burdick
Fundraising for Central Oregon Great Strides 2026
Kristen Burdick
Hi, Friends!
It's that time of year again. The Great Strides Walk to Cure Cystic Fibrosis is coming up in May. Our team goal is to raise $5,000! The money raised goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation which funds CF-related research & programs that have a direct impact on people living with cystic fibrosis- myself included!
There is currently no cure for CF and too many people with CF die young. Many more spend their daily lives managing their care, their disease & doing time-consuming treatments. I'm walking because I want 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.
My CF journey, like each & every person living with CF, has been unique to me. I spent the majority of my life only affected by periodic hospital stays and the nuisance of living & managing a chronic illness. I honestly felt like one of the lucky ones. Yes, at times I had difficulty breathing. And, yes, I had a host of various cf-related medical issues. And, of course, as I got older the management of my cystic fibrosis become more complicated. I also recognized, however, that I was lucky enough to graduate from college, get married, work, recreate when I wanted, get pregnant and travel. I was grateful. BUT, I also had a drive to keep doing what I envisioned for myself because, admittedly, I wondered when I might not be able to.
The turning point in my CF journey began in my early 40s. I had been married for 15+ years. Our daughter was 7 or 8 years old. I was a stay-at-home parent. It was during this time when things seemed to be multiplying: the infections, pulmonary bleeds, hospital stays, pain, doctor's appointments, ER visits, etc.
The thing I feared the most also began to settle in- my life was becoming centered around the care and management of my cystic fibrosis. Then, in 2022-2023 I had 2 significant, life-threatening pulmonary bleeds requiring emergency medical transportation & intervention. The bleeds compounded by declining lung function led to a tough, end-of-life conversation with my pulmonologist. After much thought and many, many medical appointments, I was listed for a lung transplant. On February 2, 2024 I received a life-saving double lung transplant! I included some photos of our journey.
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive the dream - a cure for everyone with CF.
As Always,
Thank you for showing up & supporting our family,
With Love,
Kristen Burdick
CF Warrior
It's that time of year again. The Great Strides Walk to Cure Cystic Fibrosis is coming up in May. Our team goal is to raise $5,000! The money raised goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation which funds CF-related research & programs that have a direct impact on people living with cystic fibrosis- myself included!
There is currently no cure for CF and too many people with CF die young. Many more spend their daily lives managing their care, their disease & doing time-consuming treatments. I'm walking because I want 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.
My CF journey, like each & every person living with CF, has been unique to me. I spent the majority of my life only affected by periodic hospital stays and the nuisance of living & managing a chronic illness. I honestly felt like one of the lucky ones. Yes, at times I had difficulty breathing. And, yes, I had a host of various cf-related medical issues. And, of course, as I got older the management of my cystic fibrosis become more complicated. I also recognized, however, that I was lucky enough to graduate from college, get married, work, recreate when I wanted, get pregnant and travel. I was grateful. BUT, I also had a drive to keep doing what I envisioned for myself because, admittedly, I wondered when I might not be able to.
The turning point in my CF journey began in my early 40s. I had been married for 15+ years. Our daughter was 7 or 8 years old. I was a stay-at-home parent. It was during this time when things seemed to be multiplying: the infections, pulmonary bleeds, hospital stays, pain, doctor's appointments, ER visits, etc.
The thing I feared the most also began to settle in- my life was becoming centered around the care and management of my cystic fibrosis. Then, in 2022-2023 I had 2 significant, life-threatening pulmonary bleeds requiring emergency medical transportation & intervention. The bleeds compounded by declining lung function led to a tough, end-of-life conversation with my pulmonologist. After much thought and many, many medical appointments, I was listed for a lung transplant. On February 2, 2024 I received a life-saving double lung transplant! I included some photos of our journey.
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive the dream - a cure for everyone with CF.
As Always,
Thank you for showing up & supporting our family,
With Love,
Kristen Burdick
CF Warrior
Comments