I have been raising money for Cystic Fibrosis research and support since I was in middle school. Every New Years Eve, our swim team would hold a CF Swim-a-thon, where we would raise money per lap, up to a 5k indoor swim. Last year, I was honored by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by being named a CF Foundation Finest, and with the rest of the class of 2023 raised money for this worthy cause. Now, I have returned as a committee member, and will help the class of 2024 reach and exceed both our goal and theirs.

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis: a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Sixty years ago, children with CF usually did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, because of Foundation-supported research and care, the median survival age of people with CF is over 50. Working alongside the CF community, the CF Foundation has fostered the development of more than a dozen CF treatments and helped add decades of life for people with CF. Yet, many people with CF do not benefit from existing therapies. Our vision is a cure for every person with cystic fibrosis – a life free from the burden of this disease – and we will not leave anyone behind.

To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation!