My Great Strides Story
Marcia Collins
Fundraising for Kansas City Great Strides 2026
Marcia Collins
Great Strides Walk for cystic fibrosis is May 9, 2026. I am joining Aidan's Dream Team to help change that. This will be the 22nd year that we have done fundraising for the Great Strides Walk. Since we started, we have raised nearly $258,000. I would like to add to that amount. My personal fundraising goal is $1500
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. 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. Aidan does percussive and breathing treatments daily, takes pancreatic enzymes before meals and snacks - about 30 pills a day, and uses several additional medications, nasal sprays, and nutritional supplements daily.
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.
There were some ups and downs for Aidan this past year. In May he graduated from UCM and is now enrolled at Rockhurst for a master's degree in business administration. In June he was enrolled in a study for a new cf drug for his specific gene mutation. The results are still pending further study. In November he was hospitalized for a week so he could receive intravenous antibiotic treatment for a stubborn lung infection. As a result, he has felt better since then than he had in several years. He is wearing a blood sugar monitor which will show any development of CF related diabetes (CFRD). It is not a matter of if it will develop, but when. In December he moved to Grandview, not far from the house where I grew up. In January of this year he started a job at Lockton.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
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. Every dollar matters! Together we can make CF stand for Cure Found!
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. 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. Aidan does percussive and breathing treatments daily, takes pancreatic enzymes before meals and snacks - about 30 pills a day, and uses several additional medications, nasal sprays, and nutritional supplements daily.
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.
There were some ups and downs for Aidan this past year. In May he graduated from UCM and is now enrolled at Rockhurst for a master's degree in business administration. In June he was enrolled in a study for a new cf drug for his specific gene mutation. The results are still pending further study. In November he was hospitalized for a week so he could receive intravenous antibiotic treatment for a stubborn lung infection. As a result, he has felt better since then than he had in several years. He is wearing a blood sugar monitor which will show any development of CF related diabetes (CFRD). It is not a matter of if it will develop, but when. In December he moved to Grandview, not far from the house where I grew up. In January of this year he started a job at Lockton.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
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. Every dollar matters! Together we can make CF stand for Cure Found!
Comments