GT’s Pit Crew
Hi all! Welcome to GT’s Pit Crew!
My name is Shelby Luebbert, and I am the leader and core of this amazing Crew. GT is a family nickname (like the car, Shelby GT), and it fit perfectly to morph into a Pit Crew as my walk team years ago. We have walked since 2011!
We are doing things a little differently this year, in the most special way. As many in my circle know - my fire has always been there... but with that said, it turned into a methodical and persistent focused blaze in 2016...
This is lengthy, but gives the backstory of this year’s theme of:
Honoring the fire within…
—————-
In the fall of 2016 - I lost some amazing CF friends all within a 3-month span as my health was also extremely fragile. The passing of Dalton, and his wife Katie Donovan Prager; and Lauren Wedemeier Heryford forever changed me in ways that I still cannot completely comprehend. This year, we are honoring their legacy as it marks 10 years since their passings.
I ‘met’ Lauren and Katie in my late teen years when social media became a gateway for those of us with Cystic Fibrosis to network and not feel so alone online. With CF, we can pass dangerous bacteria’s back and forth, so social media was the safest way to connect. Lauren was local to STL, and Katie had formed a bond in time with Dalton also from this area. This built an amazing friendship within so many of us, and one that changed my life forever. The bond between Lauren, Katie, and myself was something I will always cherish, and it’s one that saved my life.
And if you don’t know us, I know what you’re wondering... if you guys can’t be together, why were Katie and Dalton? I’m glad you asked! Katie and Dalton formed a bond beyond what was recommended... but they were adults, and chose happiness over health. And while it’s something I can’t see myself doing since I haven’t been put into that potential... it’s something I truly actually admired for them personally. It’s one of those... when you know, you just know (and no one knows the true struggles of CF, then those of us who go through it). That’s the best I can say about it, and will always love them.
Katie and Dalton, along with Lauren, all had a complex bacteria called Burkholderia Cepacia, which is extremely hard to treat and get a transplant with. There are only a few CF transplant centers that will do transplants on those who carry Cepacia, with Pittsburgh being the chosen one for each of them. Katie and Dalton went through the transplant processes much before Lauren was evaluated, and were successful for a while until developing Leukemia/Lymphomas from the immunosuppressants of transplant, and passed in September just five days apart from one another with Dalton here in STL, and Katie in Kentucky where she was from.
While not yet transplanted... Lauren had done her evals earlier in 2016, and was on the path for Pittsburgh’s transplant list as well, but sadly passed here in STL the day before her birthday in November of 2016.
Their passings changed me and my inner soul from that day forward.
My life at the time of their passings was very unstable health wise in a different way... my entire body was suffering in multiple ways due to autoimmune triggered issues from my CF, lung issues from a different bacterium I have, and weight loss from the toll of everything health wise on my body. I was already terrified of my path potentially, but all three of them passing within that time span ignited something fierce within me because I felt I was going to be next.
—————-
This is where their love for me comes into play of saving my life...
In the early days of us all being friends, they had all gotten Cepacia, and I had not. While I felt super left out, we came to an agreement that it was not worth me also getting it. They protected me, mentored me, empowered me, and made it known that we were still in this together. Through small hiccups in health, us girls had made a promise; that whoever was left standing… had to fight like hell.
That person became me.
Why me? I still question...
But a promise is a promise…
And so, I have.
It took about a year before I could emotionally handle it, but I have not let them down. I have fought for my life to be understood, to be heard, and to make it known that my life is here for a reason. I have fought ‘til my lungs bled and my tears stung my cheeks for answers. I found out my nutrition issues were due to gluten issues that got triggered, some sugar issues that were feeding my infection issues in my lungs, and a form of Lupus we think was triggered from the absolute toll of stress from sickness on my body. I thankfully have made this comeback thanks to amazing new sets of eyes, and ears, and tests. I also was able to send my cells off to be tested for CF modulators that help the CF protein function better thanks to my doctors applying for the Theratyping Program with me.
My path is still extremely hard day to day, and it’s not anywhere near absolutely stable, but for me - it’s a change from what I was staring at every day for so long.
And so I fight... Because I will not let them down.
I have joined national CF Foundation committees to help keep focus on things that need attention, and better research for rare genes like mine and so many others as I have been able to handle it. I have networked and helped become who they were to me for so many others because of a friend of the family stating that “if you want to continue Lauren’s legacy, be what she was to you...”
And so, I have, because I won’t let them down.
—————-
So, this year, my Pit Crew has become a full fledge a racing team in fun car terms since we are such a car focused family. This Pit Crew is not only for my family and my health and my honor, but also for Dalton, Katie, and Lauren’s friends and families; with their permission from family to honor their legacies. This year is pivotal shift from usual rah rah let’s rally for CF... this year is honoring those who we lost in that rah rah, and pushing for a better future of those with CF, while celebrating their lives and what they’ve done for all of us. Or as Lauren would joke... quit the ugly crying, fight like hell, and push forward. 🤣
—————-
So, I invite you to ‘join the Pit Crew’ this year
as we walk to rally and cure Cystic Fibrosis.
May 16th, 2026
Location to be determined currently.
We will have pop up tents, but with my hope, we will need more. Bring your chairs and coolers, and let’s make this a party - to honor Dalton, Katie, and Lauren; ten years later already. To honor this legacy...
To honor their fire within all of us.
—————-
T-shirts and apparel will be available to order soon! To stay updated, please connect with us on social media or reach out to me personally through their family members! We can’t wait to have you. The Facebook Event will also hold ready to view info and updates closer to walk day!
Facebook Event Page: Team GT's Pit Crew - Walk to Cure CF 2026
—————-
My name is Shelby Luebbert, and I am the leader and core of this amazing Crew. GT is a family nickname (like the car, Shelby GT), and it fit perfectly to morph into a Pit Crew as my walk team years ago. We have walked since 2011!
We are doing things a little differently this year, in the most special way. As many in my circle know - my fire has always been there... but with that said, it turned into a methodical and persistent focused blaze in 2016...
This is lengthy, but gives the backstory of this year’s theme of:
Honoring the fire within…
—————-
In the fall of 2016 - I lost some amazing CF friends all within a 3-month span as my health was also extremely fragile. The passing of Dalton, and his wife Katie Donovan Prager; and Lauren Wedemeier Heryford forever changed me in ways that I still cannot completely comprehend. This year, we are honoring their legacy as it marks 10 years since their passings.
I ‘met’ Lauren and Katie in my late teen years when social media became a gateway for those of us with Cystic Fibrosis to network and not feel so alone online. With CF, we can pass dangerous bacteria’s back and forth, so social media was the safest way to connect. Lauren was local to STL, and Katie had formed a bond in time with Dalton also from this area. This built an amazing friendship within so many of us, and one that changed my life forever. The bond between Lauren, Katie, and myself was something I will always cherish, and it’s one that saved my life.
And if you don’t know us, I know what you’re wondering... if you guys can’t be together, why were Katie and Dalton? I’m glad you asked! Katie and Dalton formed a bond beyond what was recommended... but they were adults, and chose happiness over health. And while it’s something I can’t see myself doing since I haven’t been put into that potential... it’s something I truly actually admired for them personally. It’s one of those... when you know, you just know (and no one knows the true struggles of CF, then those of us who go through it). That’s the best I can say about it, and will always love them.
Katie and Dalton, along with Lauren, all had a complex bacteria called Burkholderia Cepacia, which is extremely hard to treat and get a transplant with. There are only a few CF transplant centers that will do transplants on those who carry Cepacia, with Pittsburgh being the chosen one for each of them. Katie and Dalton went through the transplant processes much before Lauren was evaluated, and were successful for a while until developing Leukemia/Lymphomas from the immunosuppressants of transplant, and passed in September just five days apart from one another with Dalton here in STL, and Katie in Kentucky where she was from.
While not yet transplanted... Lauren had done her evals earlier in 2016, and was on the path for Pittsburgh’s transplant list as well, but sadly passed here in STL the day before her birthday in November of 2016.
Their passings changed me and my inner soul from that day forward.
My life at the time of their passings was very unstable health wise in a different way... my entire body was suffering in multiple ways due to autoimmune triggered issues from my CF, lung issues from a different bacterium I have, and weight loss from the toll of everything health wise on my body. I was already terrified of my path potentially, but all three of them passing within that time span ignited something fierce within me because I felt I was going to be next.
—————-
This is where their love for me comes into play of saving my life...
In the early days of us all being friends, they had all gotten Cepacia, and I had not. While I felt super left out, we came to an agreement that it was not worth me also getting it. They protected me, mentored me, empowered me, and made it known that we were still in this together. Through small hiccups in health, us girls had made a promise; that whoever was left standing… had to fight like hell.
That person became me.
Why me? I still question...
But a promise is a promise…
And so, I have.
It took about a year before I could emotionally handle it, but I have not let them down. I have fought for my life to be understood, to be heard, and to make it known that my life is here for a reason. I have fought ‘til my lungs bled and my tears stung my cheeks for answers. I found out my nutrition issues were due to gluten issues that got triggered, some sugar issues that were feeding my infection issues in my lungs, and a form of Lupus we think was triggered from the absolute toll of stress from sickness on my body. I thankfully have made this comeback thanks to amazing new sets of eyes, and ears, and tests. I also was able to send my cells off to be tested for CF modulators that help the CF protein function better thanks to my doctors applying for the Theratyping Program with me.
My path is still extremely hard day to day, and it’s not anywhere near absolutely stable, but for me - it’s a change from what I was staring at every day for so long.
And so I fight... Because I will not let them down.
I have joined national CF Foundation committees to help keep focus on things that need attention, and better research for rare genes like mine and so many others as I have been able to handle it. I have networked and helped become who they were to me for so many others because of a friend of the family stating that “if you want to continue Lauren’s legacy, be what she was to you...”
And so, I have, because I won’t let them down.
—————-
So, this year, my Pit Crew has become a full fledge a racing team in fun car terms since we are such a car focused family. This Pit Crew is not only for my family and my health and my honor, but also for Dalton, Katie, and Lauren’s friends and families; with their permission from family to honor their legacies. This year is pivotal shift from usual rah rah let’s rally for CF... this year is honoring those who we lost in that rah rah, and pushing for a better future of those with CF, while celebrating their lives and what they’ve done for all of us. Or as Lauren would joke... quit the ugly crying, fight like hell, and push forward. 🤣
—————-
So, I invite you to ‘join the Pit Crew’ this year
as we walk to rally and cure Cystic Fibrosis.
May 16th, 2026
Location to be determined currently.
We will have pop up tents, but with my hope, we will need more. Bring your chairs and coolers, and let’s make this a party - to honor Dalton, Katie, and Lauren; ten years later already. To honor this legacy...
To honor their fire within all of us.
—————-
T-shirts and apparel will be available to order soon! To stay updated, please connect with us on social media or reach out to me personally through their family members! We can’t wait to have you. The Facebook Event will also hold ready to view info and updates closer to walk day!
Facebook Event Page: Team GT's Pit Crew - Walk to Cure CF 2026
—————-
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs due to a faulty gene within our DNA. The CFTR gene is a protein responsible for keeping the balance of salt and water within the body. When this is faulty, the ratio is off and either cannot produce the protein needed, or it is defective. At this time, there are over 2,800+ mutations known! This causes extra sticky mucus throughout the body, and research has been found to also show that CF can be found in every single cell, even our nervous system! This ongoing issue can cause life threatening infections throughout our respiratory and digestive systems, and even issues with fertility.
CF comes in every race, social class, region of the world, and every single CF person’s journey is unique and different, even siblings!
With your help, we are able to save more lives and help those who have rarer mutations. With that said, there are still people being born every day, and the chance of CF happening for those babies if their parents are carriers; along with those who are late diagnoses and have the burden of years of damage to their bodies. CF currently does not have a cure.
Your donations are 100% tax deductible, and it truly means the world and beyond to me in any way you choose to support! That can be donating, sharing my story to your networks, getting GT’s gear that I sell, or even word of mouth to my social networks! Any little thing counts! I would love to help educate and advocate on the awareness needed to still such a lesser-known condition... with only around 40,000 in the US, and 105,000 nationwide diagnosed.
CF comes in every race, social class, region of the world, and every single CF person’s journey is unique and different, even siblings!
With your help, we are able to save more lives and help those who have rarer mutations. With that said, there are still people being born every day, and the chance of CF happening for those babies if their parents are carriers; along with those who are late diagnoses and have the burden of years of damage to their bodies. CF currently does not have a cure.
Your donations are 100% tax deductible, and it truly means the world and beyond to me in any way you choose to support! That can be donating, sharing my story to your networks, getting GT’s gear that I sell, or even word of mouth to my social networks! Any little thing counts! I would love to help educate and advocate on the awareness needed to still such a lesser-known condition... with only around 40,000 in the US, and 105,000 nationwide diagnosed.
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