Growing up with a sibling who has a progressive genetic lung disease was lots of ups and downs. My brother having cystic fibrosis shifted my perspective on life at such a young age. I am very thankful for my brother and so proud of him for his hardships and always overcoming them. He is one of the strongest kids I know. I have been there through every step of his life and seen the hard things he has had to do just to live a "normal" lifestyle.

My youngest brother Cooper, was born when I was 7 years old. I remember the worried looks of my mom & dad telling us he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis a genetic lung disease. All the new information everyone had to learn was a journey, since he was one of the first babies we knew with this disease . Being a sibling with someone who has CF was not the easiest at all, many times I thought "I wish it was me". Walking into the hospital to visit him was always scary because I never knew how he was truly doing. I would even stay home from school sometimes and fake a headache just to go and visit my mom & brother in the hospital (most times worked lol). Cooper as a young kid would always light up the vibes by playing and dancing throughout his room. He was always smiling and giggling which always made me feel so much better. Cooper handled long stays in the hospital and missed many holidays for all the sickness bugs that wouldn't go away. I am so grateful for the hospital stays for saving him and keeping him safe. When he was young about 4 years old he was so sick, he was eventually recommended for Make a Wish. Learning he was recommended for a make a wish was heartbreaking. I was about 11 and the idea of my baby brother being so sick was unbelievable. There were many nights of tears and fear, the whole house was in root of him getting better. A few years passed and when he was around 9 or 10 I believe is when he started to have less hospital stays and started to be able to fight off some germs. It is only because of new medications and treatments that were created because of the CFF and the money that was raised was used for the creation.

Without fundraising and new medications being made Cooper would not be in the shape he is today. He would not be able to thrive without fundraising and new medications. Thank you for those who donate, you truly make a difference for people with Cystic Fibrosis and their