As someone living with cystic fibrosis (CF), I’m writing to you not just as a patient, but as a passionate advocate and committee member for this year’s fundraising walk supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over the past year, I’ve worked hard helping plan this event—because for me, this cause is deeply personal.

Although CF is often thought of as a lung disease, it affects almost every organ in the body. Today, I want to give you a glimpse into what life with CF looks like for me.

Let’s start with medications. Every day, I take over 80 pills—that’s about 29,200 pills every year. I’ve undergone more than 30 procedures and surgeries. Just this year, I had my gallbladder removed and dealt with a kidney stone. I’ve been hospitalized over 60 times, and I see doctors at least twice a week, totaling more than 100 visits annually.

In a single year, I face about 40 blood draws, over 60 injections, countless treatments, and dozens of medical tests. I see more than 20 different specialists, and every year brings new doctors and medications into my life. But despite all of this—none of it is a cure. My daily reality is managing complications and doing everything I can to slow the progression of the disease.

CF doesn’t just affect my lungs. I also live with arthritis, osteoporosis, malnutrition, diabetes, kidney stones, and reduced lung function—just to name a few. The damage is permanent, and the fight is constant. I never get a break.

But I’m not alone. I have an amazing support system—my family. My parents and my sister are on this journey with me. My dad is my best best friend and always knows how to keep me smiling through the toughest times. He worked a job he hated for years, but he couldn’t leave because I needed medical insurance. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate his sacrifice so much more.

My mom is my rock—my nurse, my comforter, and my hero. Even now, as an adult, I lean on her strength every single day. My parents have always put my health and well-being first. They stay with me in the hospital, take me to surgeries, and are my biggest source of comfort. Despite the fear and stress I know I’ve caused them, they’ve never let me see it. Their strength helps me stay strong.

There are moments when I feel like giving up. But I keep fighting because of them—and because of the hope that organizations like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation give me. The Foundation isn’t just working toward a cure; they’re funding critical research to slow the disease’s progression and improve quality of life for people like me.

That’s why I’m asking for your help today.
For the past year, I’ve been helping plan this walk, and I would truly love it if you could attend. Your presence and support would mean the world to me.

💜 You can support in two ways:
👕 Buy a Cystic Fibrosis Awareness T-shirt that I designed—all proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:
https://www.customink.com/fundraising/cystic-fibrosis-awareness-65

💸 Donate directly to my fundraising page here:
https://fundraise.cff.org/inlandempire/ElizabethClark

Whether you donate, attend, or simply help spread the word, your support makes a real impact. You’re giving people like me more time, more treatment options—and keeping the hope alive for a cure.

Thank you for standing with me, and with every person and family affected by CF.

With all my gratitude,
Beth Clark