My Great Strides Story
Heather Rukhaberlen
Heather Rukhaberlen
Holy cow! Our 13th year participating in Great Strides!
Mark your calendars!
May 31st - NEW LOCATION - DOGS ALLOWED!!
check in: 9:00 AM
walk begins 10:00 AM
3 miles
Location:
Deer Grove East Grove 1
1599 Pepper Tree Dr.
Palatine IL 60067
Thank you BBQ at our house a few hours after the walk!
BBQ: 2:00 PM
33 foxglove ct
streamwood IL 60107
For those who aren’t familiar with Cystic Fibrosis, it is a terminal lung disease many are born with. My husband Ryan suffers from this disease. When he was born, children born with this disease rarely lived to elementary school. When we met in 2005, the average lifespan was age 18. Today, thanks to new developments in medications, the average is in the mid 40’s, however many make it to live a much longer life!
Sadly, there still is no cure. Although the medication trikafta has been a blessing for Ryan’s health, it does not work for everyone with Cystic Fibrosis as there are many strains of CF and trikafta helps stop the progression of the most common mutation. However, Ryan along with many other CF patients have more than one mutation.
Cystic fibrosis does not just affect the lungs. For example, Ryan has had to have his gallbladder removed, a sinus surgery (with the potential of needing more down the road), and has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes forcing him to become insulin dependent. CF also affects the ability to digest food normally, causing him to depend on pills every time he eats called enzymes to help aid in the breakdown of his food. Cystic fibrosis also affects the bones, which has Ryan at the beginning stages of osteopenia. Many CFers need double lung transplants, and luckily that is one obstacle Ryan has not needed to tackle.
We need your help. Whether it be inviting your friends and family to the walk, making a donation, or helping fundraise- every single dollar goes straight to research to get us one step closer to a cure!! Every dollar helps.
Thank you to all those who have supported us year after year. Ryan’s health has improved drastically thanks to your help! As his wife, I am committed to continuing the fight. Please join me! Love you all. :)
Mark your calendars!
May 31st - NEW LOCATION - DOGS ALLOWED!!
check in: 9:00 AM
walk begins 10:00 AM
3 miles
Location:
Deer Grove East Grove 1
1599 Pepper Tree Dr.
Palatine IL 60067
Thank you BBQ at our house a few hours after the walk!
BBQ: 2:00 PM
33 foxglove ct
streamwood IL 60107
For those who aren’t familiar with Cystic Fibrosis, it is a terminal lung disease many are born with. My husband Ryan suffers from this disease. When he was born, children born with this disease rarely lived to elementary school. When we met in 2005, the average lifespan was age 18. Today, thanks to new developments in medications, the average is in the mid 40’s, however many make it to live a much longer life!
Sadly, there still is no cure. Although the medication trikafta has been a blessing for Ryan’s health, it does not work for everyone with Cystic Fibrosis as there are many strains of CF and trikafta helps stop the progression of the most common mutation. However, Ryan along with many other CF patients have more than one mutation.
Cystic fibrosis does not just affect the lungs. For example, Ryan has had to have his gallbladder removed, a sinus surgery (with the potential of needing more down the road), and has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes forcing him to become insulin dependent. CF also affects the ability to digest food normally, causing him to depend on pills every time he eats called enzymes to help aid in the breakdown of his food. Cystic fibrosis also affects the bones, which has Ryan at the beginning stages of osteopenia. Many CFers need double lung transplants, and luckily that is one obstacle Ryan has not needed to tackle.
We need your help. Whether it be inviting your friends and family to the walk, making a donation, or helping fundraise- every single dollar goes straight to research to get us one step closer to a cure!! Every dollar helps.
Thank you to all those who have supported us year after year. Ryan’s health has improved drastically thanks to your help! As his wife, I am committed to continuing the fight. Please join me! Love you all. :)
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