My name is Shelby Jones, and I am a 29-year-old adult living with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare disease that affects about 30,000 individuals in the United States and about 70,000 individuals worldwide. Cystic Fibrosis is considered an “invisible disease” because if you were to cross paths with a “CFer” you would never know what we must go through daily. CF is a genetic lung disease that causes many lung infections and the inability to breathe over time.  The amount of thick mucus we build up in our organs (lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys) requires many different treatments and medications daily.
      In 2014 I moved to Reno, Nevada to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. Unfortunately, during my college years I noticed a slow decrease in my lung function. In 2020 I hit my lowest of low at 30% lung function and was admitted to the University of Utah for IV antibiotics. The past five years I have worked rigorously on my health and found a passion for pushing my body and mind to a whole new level through weightlifting and CrossFit. This hard work and the FDA’s approval of Trikfata has allowed me to increase my lung function to 70% and live a “normal” young adult life.  
The past three years I have participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Yosemite Extreme Hike and I am excited to share that this year I will change “courses” and will participate in my FIRST EVER MARATHON on October 11 in Chicago, Illinois. It is such an honor to be able to participate in this event, not only because my body has been able to keep up, but because I get to advocate for this great Community. I get to show up and continue to fight for my fellow Cysters and Fibros that have lost their fight to this terrible disease.   
     Research is what has allowed me to graduate high school, attend and graduate college, GET MARRIED, and start planning for my family. Help from you is keeping me along with 70,000 other people fighting day to day.  Real progress has been made for those who have CF, but there is still no cure for this disease and many lives are cut far too short. We’ve come so far, but there’s still so much work to do. We appreciate any type of donation to help us along our journey and are presenting anyone or any business that gives a generous donation of four hundred or more by August 15th, 2026 a logo spot on all our team shirts and flyers that will be presented at the upcoming events.
If interested in learning more about me and my fight with this disease or interested in making a donation, please visit the website listed below and follow the instructions. Thank you all for the support and fighting the fight with us to make CF stand for CURE FOUND!