The Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk is just around the corner and I hope you will support me again as we continue to make huge progress towards finding a cure. Growing up my life revolved around CF. Each morning I would think about how to get ahead of the disease, how to beat the bacteria, and how to find a cure. Each day was dictated by my needs and driven by the immeasurable burden of trying to manage an illness that is completely out of my control. For the majority of those years, I was either too young or too sick to handle this on my own and I relied heavily on my family to support me. The burden of loving and supporting someone with a chronic illness is incredibly heavy and I watched my family members sacrifice their lives so that I did not have to bear this illness alone. With the most recent medication, Trikafta, my health has improved immensely, allowing me to live a healthier life and reversing some of the damage that CF caused. This is a reality I never dreamed would exist. This medication is available to me because of supporters like you and I cannot thank you enough.
Over the past year, my body has continued to improve in ways I could never have imagined. I have been on Trikafta for over six years, and it still feels unbelievable that I am able to live this healthier, hospital-free life. This past October at my doctor's appointment my lung function was the highest it has been since I was in first grade. I knew this drug was helping my body heal, but to see such a high number associated with my beat-up lungs was surreal. With Trikafta, I continue to watch my body turn back time as so many scars heal with each passing day.
This year also marks a big step towards greater advocacy for me and my family. My brother ran a half-marathon in Houston on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and continues to volunteer in different ways for CF. In addition, I have recently joined the CF Foundation Board in Tyler and I hope to be a beneficial member. My addition to the Board represents a significant step in the CF community as I am the first CF patient to serve on the Tyler Board. This is a testament to our work and dedication towards a cure. We are not giving up until a cure is found. While Trikafta has completely changed my life, I still live with the reality of breathing treatments, expensive medications, and medical complications. Although I do not wake up every day with my first thought being CF, my life is still largely driven by this disease and all the obstacles it brings each day. It is my dream to one day wake up to a cure, but I cannot get there without you!
I hope that you will join me in finding a cure by lacing up your shoes at the CF Walk on Saturday May 9, 2026 at 10:00 am at Caldwell Zoo. To support Team Saving Grace please wear orange! It is only together that CF will ultimately stand for Cure Found!
With love, hope, and passion, 
Grace Knight