Taking Strides

I can't sleep because I've been coughing all night. My lungs are having a spasm. I've decided to write in my blog and do some breathing machines to try to ease the situation. To all my Cysters and Fibros (CF friends) "Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

Cystic Fibrosis is a rare disease. Only affecting 30,000 people in the United States. I'm the only person in my family that has Cystic Fibrosis. I was diagnosed at birth due to an obstruction in my lower intestines which is common in CF babies. It's a fatal genetic disease caused by two recessive genes. I guess you can say I was the lucky crayon in the box.

It's sad to know that a lot of drug companies won't research or put money towards CF because it affects a small population. Us CFer's rely on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and fund raising by friends and family to help fund medications, research, and to help find a cure. CF for me is a full time job. People have asked me if the disease can go away, but it can't go into remission. I never get a break, it never goes away. The only way to finally be free of the disease is to find a cure. I haven't lost hope.

The scientists are so close to a cure. They know where the CF gene is located in the body they just have to find a way to fix and correct it. Lack of funds creates a problem. That is why for the past three years my team and I have walked at the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis. Funds help science and science help to save lives. Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation National fund raising event. My goal this year is to raise $3,000 dollars in the mission to make CF stand for Cure Found. I'm crossing my fingers that I reach my goal this year.