My Breathe Team Story
Olivia Annes
Fundraising for 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Olivia Annes
My name is Olivia Annes, and I am a PhD student at Yale University's Biological and Biomedical Sciences program. At Yale, I have researched fibrotic diseases.
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. I’m running to help change that reality.
Cystic fibrosis (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.
Scientific research saves millions of lives by developing new treatments and cures for many life-threatening diseases. But in the past year, the federal government has slashed funding for scientific research. Now more than ever, scientific funding provided by charities like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is essential to continue CF research and save thousands of lives.
In fall 2025, I applied for a grant through the U.S. National Science Foundation to research metabolic regulation of fibroblasts in homeostatic vs diseased states. In my broader impacts, I wrote about how fibrosis "accounts for nearly 45% of deaths and cost $10 billion annually in the United States (Wynn et al., 2004). Fibrosis impacts nearly every organ system, yet there are few effective therapies that reverse established disease." Cystic fibrosis is no exception; however, there is hope for new gene therapies that would not just treat, but permanently cure CF. The CF Foundation provides research grants to scientists developing these new gene therapies.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
I am honored to run the 2026 Chicago marathon with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 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.
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. I’m running to help change that reality.
Cystic fibrosis (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.
Scientific research saves millions of lives by developing new treatments and cures for many life-threatening diseases. But in the past year, the federal government has slashed funding for scientific research. Now more than ever, scientific funding provided by charities like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is essential to continue CF research and save thousands of lives.
In fall 2025, I applied for a grant through the U.S. National Science Foundation to research metabolic regulation of fibroblasts in homeostatic vs diseased states. In my broader impacts, I wrote about how fibrosis "accounts for nearly 45% of deaths and cost $10 billion annually in the United States (Wynn et al., 2004). Fibrosis impacts nearly every organ system, yet there are few effective therapies that reverse established disease." Cystic fibrosis is no exception; however, there is hope for new gene therapies that would not just treat, but permanently cure CF. The CF Foundation provides research grants to scientists developing these new gene therapies.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
I am honored to run the 2026 Chicago marathon with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 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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