Kurt Zimmerman
My Hike Story
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition that affects some 40,000 people in the United States. It affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs through a defect in how chloride ions are transported across the cell walls throughout the body which leads to a thickening of the mucous which is then prone to infection, causing inflammation and damage to the lungs and other organs.
I was diagnosed with CF in elementary school and while my symptoms were fairly mild through to high school, I still had to do airway clearance therapy every day and take large quantities of pills to try and stay healthy. I started struggling more in college and began to be admitted to the hospital every few years for IV antibiotics and more rigorous airway clearance to combat these lung infections. These hospital “tune ups” became more frequent as I worked at SpaceX, eventually spending a week or so every 3 to 6 months in the hospital.
Finally, some new drugs were developed with the support of money raised through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that slowed and even began to reverse many of my symptoms, giving me easier breathing, no more hospital stays in the last few years, and a new lease on life. When I was growing up, the life expectancy for someone with CF was only in the mid to late 30’s (where I am today!) but now thanks to developments in treatment and these new wonder drugs, the life expectancy is shooting past 60.
However, there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. While these new drugs have been a huge help in my life, they still must be taken every day, the long term affects are still being studies, and unfortunately they do not work for everyone with CF. This year I am participating in the Steamboat Xtreme Hike in late September to continue to raise money for this great foundation as they help drive further innovation to help everyone with CF and eventually find a final cure for this disease.
Your support makes a difference.
By donating to my fundraising goal, you will help advance our mission for a cure for all. Please consider joining us and helping make CF stand for Cure Found.
To learn more about CF and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations efforts, check out: https://www.cff.org/
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition that affects some 40,000 people in the United States. It affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs through a defect in how chloride ions are transported across the cell walls throughout the body which leads to a thickening of the mucous which is then prone to infection, causing inflammation and damage to the lungs and other organs.
I was diagnosed with CF in elementary school and while my symptoms were fairly mild through to high school, I still had to do airway clearance therapy every day and take large quantities of pills to try and stay healthy. I started struggling more in college and began to be admitted to the hospital every few years for IV antibiotics and more rigorous airway clearance to combat these lung infections. These hospital “tune ups” became more frequent as I worked at SpaceX, eventually spending a week or so every 3 to 6 months in the hospital.
Finally, some new drugs were developed with the support of money raised through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that slowed and even began to reverse many of my symptoms, giving me easier breathing, no more hospital stays in the last few years, and a new lease on life. When I was growing up, the life expectancy for someone with CF was only in the mid to late 30’s (where I am today!) but now thanks to developments in treatment and these new wonder drugs, the life expectancy is shooting past 60.
However, there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. While these new drugs have been a huge help in my life, they still must be taken every day, the long term affects are still being studies, and unfortunately they do not work for everyone with CF. This year I am participating in the Steamboat Xtreme Hike in late September to continue to raise money for this great foundation as they help drive further innovation to help everyone with CF and eventually find a final cure for this disease.
Your support makes a difference.
By donating to my fundraising goal, you will help advance our mission for a cure for all. Please consider joining us and helping make CF stand for Cure Found.
To learn more about CF and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations efforts, check out: https://www.cff.org/
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