My Breathe Team Story
Colleen Oberle
Fundraising for 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Colleen Oberle
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I’m running 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.
I'm running the 2026 Chicago Marathon to raise donations for the Cystic Fibrosis because of a special friendship that started when I was a graduate student at the Ohio University over 10 years ago. Our Sports Ad program had a strong relationship with a local family who was impacted by CF and I committed to raising funds for them during a race in 2014. At the time, Lily was a spunky, sometimes shy 6-year-old who was fighting CF.
Fast forward to 2026, Lilly is now a spunky, sometimes shy, but strong as hell 18-year-old who is still fighting strong. From the outside, you wouldn't be able to tell that Lilly is fighting lung disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, and low bone density. As I've grown in the past decade, it's also been incredible to see Lilly grow, and I remain committed to raising funds to help improve the lives of those fighting cystic fibrosis.
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.
I'm running the 2026 Chicago Marathon to raise donations for the Cystic Fibrosis because of a special friendship that started when I was a graduate student at the Ohio University over 10 years ago. Our Sports Ad program had a strong relationship with a local family who was impacted by CF and I committed to raising funds for them during a race in 2014. At the time, Lily was a spunky, sometimes shy 6-year-old who was fighting CF.
Fast forward to 2026, Lilly is now a spunky, sometimes shy, but strong as hell 18-year-old who is still fighting strong. From the outside, you wouldn't be able to tell that Lilly is fighting lung disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, and low bone density. As I've grown in the past decade, it's also been incredible to see Lilly grow, and I remain committed to raising funds to help improve the lives of those fighting cystic fibrosis.
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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