I am incredibly honored to be recognized by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as part of their Nashville Top 30 Under 30 class of 2026, alongside some truly outstanding people in this community. In accepting this honor, I made a commitment to fundraise in support of the Foundation's mission, and that is not something I am taking lightly.

The CFF exists to cure cystic fibrosis and make sure every single person living with it has the opportunity to live a long, full life. Nearly 40,000 people in the United States have CF, a progressive genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Sixty years ago, children with CF rarely lived long enough to attend elementary school. Today, because of Foundation-supported research and care, the median survival age is over 50. That is what funding does. That is what showing up for a cause does.

There is still so much work to do. Many people with CF do not yet benefit from existing treatments, and the Foundation will not stop until there is a cure for every single person. Neither will we.

If you feel moved to give, any amount makes a real difference. A popular giving amount is $65 as a nod to "65 Roses," the name a young child once used for cystic fibrosis because he could not quite pronounce it. It became a symbol for this entire community. But give what feels right, whether that is more or less. Every dollar gets us closer.

Thank you for being here and for considering this. Together we really can make a difference.

♡ Katherine