My Great Strides Story
Meghann Barloewen
Fundraising for Orange County Great Strides 2026
Meghann Barloewen
Hello dear friends and family,
This year marks a milestone for our family — we are walking in Great Strides for the 20th time. We started this journey when Abby was just four months old. We are still striding, still fighting, and have never been more hopeful. For those that have walked with us and/or donated, your support means the world to us. Thank you for being part of this with us.
First, an Abby update! After graduating high school last year, she's settled in to her support program in Long Beach and started classes at Long Beach City college working towards a degree in graphic design. She's had a lot of "firsts" - first time living on her own and having a roommate, working at an internship, and navigating college classes at LBCC. We couldn't be more proud!
In terms of her health, the new medications continue to be a remarkable gift for her lung health. Her lung function remains stable and we pinch ourselves every day for the gift of lung health it has given. Unfortunately, the medications do not treat her significant GI issues, which once again this year has led to hospitalizations, many medications, and almost daily pain and discomfort. Despite her best efforts, GI complications can strike at any time and bring her life to a halt. It's not something that many others her age can even fathom.
We hope every day for a cure for CF. Not only for Abby but for the 10% of the CF community who cannot take a medication like Trikafta. We don't know what to expect for Abby's health in the future so we continue to stride for Abby and for others with CF. We will not stop until it's done.
The walk is on May 9 — please donate, and if you're local, please join us!
With so much love and gratitude,
Mike, Meghann, Abby and Dom Barloewen
This year marks a milestone for our family — we are walking in Great Strides for the 20th time. We started this journey when Abby was just four months old. We are still striding, still fighting, and have never been more hopeful. For those that have walked with us and/or donated, your support means the world to us. Thank you for being part of this with us.
First, an Abby update! After graduating high school last year, she's settled in to her support program in Long Beach and started classes at Long Beach City college working towards a degree in graphic design. She's had a lot of "firsts" - first time living on her own and having a roommate, working at an internship, and navigating college classes at LBCC. We couldn't be more proud!
In terms of her health, the new medications continue to be a remarkable gift for her lung health. Her lung function remains stable and we pinch ourselves every day for the gift of lung health it has given. Unfortunately, the medications do not treat her significant GI issues, which once again this year has led to hospitalizations, many medications, and almost daily pain and discomfort. Despite her best efforts, GI complications can strike at any time and bring her life to a halt. It's not something that many others her age can even fathom.
We hope every day for a cure for CF. Not only for Abby but for the 10% of the CF community who cannot take a medication like Trikafta. We don't know what to expect for Abby's health in the future so we continue to stride for Abby and for others with CF. We will not stop until it's done.
The walk is on May 9 — please donate, and if you're local, please join us!
With so much love and gratitude,
Mike, Meghann, Abby and Dom Barloewen
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