

My Great Strides Story
Abby Calhoon
Fundraising for Gateway Great Strides 2026
Abby Calhoon
Hi guys!! I'm back again this year, hoping to raise more money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
A lot of you may already know that my dad has been fighting cystic fibrosis (CF) since he was born. For those of you unfamiliar with the CF, it is a chronic, life-altering disease that causes damage to the lungs, digestive system, and many other parts of the body. CF makes it difficult to carry out everyday tasks that may seem easy to the rest of us. People living with cystic fibrosis go through countless medications, doctor's visits, clinical trials, and hospital stays, hoping for a cure.
The 'recent' Trikafta and Alyftrek medications have been a major milestone for many people with CF. Many have seen a drastic increase in lung function and are doing things in their everyday life that they never thought they would be able to do again. These drugs, in addition to other therapies, have helped to raise life expectancy tremendously. Twenty years ago, the predicted age of survival was just 35 years old.
Although these medications are effective for a wide range of the CF gene mutations, there is still no cure for the disease, and certain CF mutations still remain untouched by new medications.
The 'recent' Trikafta and Alyftrek medications have been a major milestone for many people with CF. Many have seen a drastic increase in lung function and are doing things in their everyday life that they never thought they would be able to do again. These drugs, in addition to other therapies, have helped to raise life expectancy tremendously. Twenty years ago, the predicted age of survival was just 35 years old.
Although these medications are effective for a wide range of the CF gene mutations, there is still no cure for the disease, and certain CF mutations still remain untouched by new medications.
This organization is extremely important to my family and me. If willing and able, please consider donating and/or sharing!
Over the past few years, I have raised over $5,000 and hope to add to that this year. Thank you all so much for your continued support over the past five years 💙💛
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