My Great Strides Story
Anne Oestriecher
Fundraising for New Orleans Great Strides
Anne Oestriecher
Dear Friends and Family:
It’s that time of year again! Spring time, a time of renewal, a time to finish tax season(!!) and a time to once again ask for your support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
In going through Mom and Dad’s things this year, we found a letter from Liesl’s doctor in New Orleans to Mom and Dad shortly after her death in 1969. Dr Waring wrote:
“I was most distressed to hear of the loss of Liesl and want to take this opportunity to express my own personal regrets and those of all of us in the Clinic who knew and worked with her. You should be assured that you have done everything possible to relieve her suffering and prolong her life. I fear there are many, many things beyond the scope and understanding of doctors, and not a few of them involve this disease”.
In the years since her death, we have learned quite a bit about this disease, but we still don’t have a cure. The new drugs are fantastic, but they are not a cure. They treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause, and help our CFers live longer, healthier lives, but it is not a cure. Also, not every patient qualifies for these new drugs (depending on their defective gene type). I was humbled and honored this year to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Chapter of CFF. I commit to this cause until there is no need because there is a cure for ALL!
We are very concerned with the current cuts to the NIH and FDA, and the effect that will have on CF research. It is more important than ever that we continue the research. Money buys science, and it will take science to find a cure. I am so proud of the way CF acts as a good steward of the money raised. They make prudent investments into the research pipeline, and have an excellent record of funds raised going towards research.
I am proud to say that I have been a part of Great Strides since the first one, more than 35 years ago. Many of you have been on this journey with me for many of those years. I am once again asking for your help. Great Strides is our single biggest fundraiser….can you help again this year? I once again am asking you to open your hearts and your wallets, and help me with a donation. My goal is $10,000 this year. I will be matching all contributions received (up to a total of $10,000), so make me pay!
It’s that time of year again! Spring time, a time of renewal, a time to finish tax season(!!) and a time to once again ask for your support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
In going through Mom and Dad’s things this year, we found a letter from Liesl’s doctor in New Orleans to Mom and Dad shortly after her death in 1969. Dr Waring wrote:
“I was most distressed to hear of the loss of Liesl and want to take this opportunity to express my own personal regrets and those of all of us in the Clinic who knew and worked with her. You should be assured that you have done everything possible to relieve her suffering and prolong her life. I fear there are many, many things beyond the scope and understanding of doctors, and not a few of them involve this disease”.
In the years since her death, we have learned quite a bit about this disease, but we still don’t have a cure. The new drugs are fantastic, but they are not a cure. They treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause, and help our CFers live longer, healthier lives, but it is not a cure. Also, not every patient qualifies for these new drugs (depending on their defective gene type). I was humbled and honored this year to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Chapter of CFF. I commit to this cause until there is no need because there is a cure for ALL!
We are very concerned with the current cuts to the NIH and FDA, and the effect that will have on CF research. It is more important than ever that we continue the research. Money buys science, and it will take science to find a cure. I am so proud of the way CF acts as a good steward of the money raised. They make prudent investments into the research pipeline, and have an excellent record of funds raised going towards research.
I am proud to say that I have been a part of Great Strides since the first one, more than 35 years ago. Many of you have been on this journey with me for many of those years. I am once again asking for your help. Great Strides is our single biggest fundraiser….can you help again this year? I once again am asking you to open your hearts and your wallets, and help me with a donation. My goal is $10,000 this year. I will be matching all contributions received (up to a total of $10,000), so make me pay!
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