The Cooke’s and Oliver’s are joining forces this year. JenniLynn Oliver, 9 years old (turning 10 on May 11) and Cooper Cooke (almost 1, born June 2, 2025) both were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. Being that they are in different stages of life, the medications and treatments they are doing are different along with how CF has an impact on their life. 

JenniLynn has come into a new phase where she is wanting to be more independent. So she has taken on more responsibility with her medications and treatments. However, there are lots of reminders to be given to make sure she stays on track. It is important to Justin and Hannah that JenniLynn takes responsibility and ownership of her treatments but they also know she is still a kid so she needs lots of guidance while navigating everything. 

Make A Wish (MAW), is a company that grants life changing wishes to children between the ages of 2½ and 18 who are diagnosed with critical, life-threatening, progressive, or malignant illnesses. At birth JenniLynn automatically qualified for MAW. However, in January 2025 the qualifications for MAW for children with CF changed. Thankfully the social worker at the UK clinic recommended JenniLynn for MAW in December 2024. JenniLynn’s wish was to swim with the dolphins. So over spring break this year, the Oliver family traveled to Islamorada in the Florida Keys for a magical week. It was truly a week that JenniLynn (and family) will never forget. 

Cooper is the 2nd born in the Cooke family and arrived just before Alex and Shelly moved to Kentucky from Ohio. CF is a disease that affects each person differently. So in the beginning, Cooper didn’t need enzymes to help digest his food, but after a few months, he was prescribed enzymes to help his body break down the food into nutrients. Shelly was excited to be able to travel to Guatemala with Cooper last November to have him meet some of the friends from when Shelly was a missionary. 

It is hard to describe what it is like to have a newborn that is diagnosed with CF. The disease is complex and affects people in different ways. Both the Oliver’s and the Cooke’s have relied heavily on the wonderful care team at the UK Pediatric Specialty Clinic. Shelly has also found it helpful to have Hannah to call to get advice and ask questions about enzymes, nebulizer treatments, and so much more. Hannah has found healing in being able to talk to Shelly about the experience she had with JenniLynn as a baby. Shelly and Hannah have bonded in a new way and have cherished being able to rely on each other. 

Please consider making a monetary donation to go towards research to find a cure for this disease. Both JenniLynn and Cooper are benefiting from medications and treatments that have been found through previous donations.