On May 2, I’ll be hiking 30.1 miles on the Appalachian Trail for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as part of Xtreme Hike.

My connection to CF is deeply personal. My brother was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was six months old, and growing up I watched him face treatments, hospitalizations, and eventually a double lung transplant with incredible strength. Today I also have the privilege of working as a social worker at a CF center, where for the past 10 years I’ve walked alongside some of the bravest kids, adults, and families I’ve ever known.

People with CF do the impossible every day — fighting for breath, for health, for more time. Watching their courage has inspired me for years, and it’s part of what gave me the push to take on this challenge.

There is still no cure for cystic fibrosis, and there are still many people who cannot benefit from the newest medications. That’s why this work matters so much.

Thank you for cheering me on and for supporting this cause that means so much to me.