My Great Strides Story
Kerry Pawlyk
Fundraising for West Haven Great Strides 2026
Kerry Pawlyk
There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis and too many people with CF die young. I'm walking to help change that reality.
CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure.
In 2021, my son Brandon (age 16) was hospitalized in the PICU at Yale for nearly 5 months. During this time, every parent's worst nightmare occurred. He went into acute respiratory failure due to a rare bacteria that had taken over his lungs. He was put on a ventilator, an oscillator, and then on ECMO for an astounding 51 days. In addition, he had seizures, was on dialysis, lost a tremendous amount of weight, and had to have a tracheostomy and a feeding tube placed. He also suffered a collapsed lung. He had to learn to walk all over again. A miracle happened and he has made a complete recovery.
Today, Brandon is a sophomore in high school and is thriving. He does respiratory treatments 3x a day and takes many medications, but we are the lucky ones.
Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for Brandon and everyone with CF. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Love, Kerry, Dave and Brandon Pawlyk
CF is a genetic, life-shortening disease that devastates the lungs, pancreas, and other vital organs. CF makes it difficult to breathe and fight life-threatening infections, often leading to extensive lung damage and respiratory failure.
In 2021, my son Brandon (age 16) was hospitalized in the PICU at Yale for nearly 5 months. During this time, every parent's worst nightmare occurred. He went into acute respiratory failure due to a rare bacteria that had taken over his lungs. He was put on a ventilator, an oscillator, and then on ECMO for an astounding 51 days. In addition, he had seizures, was on dialysis, lost a tremendous amount of weight, and had to have a tracheostomy and a feeding tube placed. He also suffered a collapsed lung. He had to learn to walk all over again. A miracle happened and he has made a complete recovery.
Today, Brandon is a sophomore in high school and is thriving. He does respiratory treatments 3x a day and takes many medications, but we are the lucky ones.
Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. While progress has been made, a long road lies ahead for far too many people fighting this terrible disease. We need a cure so that everyone with CF has a better chance to live a long, healthy life.
Will you help us end cystic fibrosis?
By donating to my fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for Brandon and everyone with CF. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Love, Kerry, Dave and Brandon Pawlyk
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