My Breathe Team Story
Fundraising for 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Kelsie Jeffords
The current median life expectancy for someone with CF who was born at the time I was is 31 years old. This October, at 32, I’ll be running the Chicago Marathon as part of the Breathe Team — defying the odds and hopefully inspiring others with CF to keep fighting for the things they love.
I was diagnosed with CF when I was just a newborn. It’s been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it’s played an enormous role in shaping who I am today.
Growing up, CF often meant missing out. While my friends spent summers at waterparks, I spent mine in hospital rooms, hooked up to IVs and doing hours of airway treatments. For a long time, that felt unfair. But over the years, I learned that I couldn’t change my diagnosis — only how I chose to live with it. I decided my CF doesn’t define me; it just pushes me to live bigger. That’s why my motto has always been: “I have CF, CF doesn’t have me.”
While I’ve always been a competitive dancer and athlete, over the last few years, running has become my outlet. It challenges me, inspires me, and gives me pride in what my body can do.
Running 26.2 miles is nothing compared to what the CF community faces every day, but it’s my way of giving back, pushing limits, and showing what’s possible when you never stop fighting.
If someone offered me a magic wand to erase my CF and live life without it, I’d say no thanks. It’s made me stronger, more determined, and deeply grateful for every breath, every mile, and every moment.
The median life expectancy for people with CF has now more than doubled since I was born, thanks to medical breakthroughs and organizations like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. But there’s still work to be done — and every dollar raised helps get us closer to a cure.
Thank you for being here and supporting this cause that means everything to me. Every donation helps us get one step closer to a cure — and I’ll be running every mile with gratitude, for everyone who has helped get me to this point, and for all of my fellow CF Warriors who keep fighting.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
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.
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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