Sophia’s Great Strides Story
Haley Dow
Fundraising for Charleston, WV Great Strides 2026
Haley Dow
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. 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. 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.
Sophia was diagnosed with CF at birth through genetic testing, and was confirmed at 2 months old with a sweat test. Since then, she has been on genetically modifying medicine to ensure her cells allow water in, therefore helping her body clear the thick mucus. She has been relatively healthy, even getting over the flu very quickly, when it can sometimes be hard on people with CF, for some even requiring hospitalization. Shes happy, healthy, but will always require just a bit more attention to ensure she stays that way. She’s our little sassy warrior and we’re so grateful to be her parents.
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. 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.
Sophia was diagnosed with CF at birth through genetic testing, and was confirmed at 2 months old with a sweat test. Since then, she has been on genetically modifying medicine to ensure her cells allow water in, therefore helping her body clear the thick mucus. She has been relatively healthy, even getting over the flu very quickly, when it can sometimes be hard on people with CF, for some even requiring hospitalization. Shes happy, healthy, but will always require just a bit more attention to ensure she stays that way. She’s our little sassy warrior and we’re so grateful to be her parents.
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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