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My CF Cycle for Life Story

This year Team Lusk is looking forward to continuing to contribute to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through the Cycle for Life bike ride.         

In 1994, cystic fibrosis (CF) first touched our family when our daughter, Erin, was diagnosed with CF soon after her birth.  In November of 1996, our second daughter, Colleen, was born and immediately diagnosed with CF.

As many of you know, Colleen passed away on October 24, 2013 from cystic fibrosis.  Colleen was a junior at Munster High School and would have turned 27 years old last November 18.  Colleen fought bravely through many obstacles including a collapsed lung, multiple vertebrae fractures, a clotting disorder, diabetes requiring daily injections, numerous picc lines, and a gastrostomy tube.  Through it all Colleen maintained a positive attitude and a strong desire to live life to its fullest. We miss Colleen every minute of every day but we take solace in knowing that she can finally breathe easy and be free of all the pain she endured because of her CF.

Erin turned 30 years old in March and is now in her seventh year of teaching first grade at Elliott Elementary School in Munster.  In the Fall of 2019, Erin began taking a new CF drug named Trikafta.  Trikafta treats cystic fibrosis at the genetic level and it has been a game changer.  Erin has required less hospitalizations, has increased strength and stamina, and is breathing easier – in short, her quality of life is much improved.  This is thanks to the support and contributions from our friends and family like you!  But our work is not done.  

Erin continues to require numerous daily medications and daily nebulizer treatments.  Each day, Erin also needs to take about 40 pills.  She will continue all of these treatments for the rest of her life.  Erin’s bravery and Colleen’s legacy continue to be an inspiration to our entire family and community.

CF is a genetic disorder that causes the accumulation of thick mucus in the lungs and around the pancreas, causing suffocation and infection.  It is fatal and there is no cure.  Over the past several years, the progress that has been made toward finding a cure and treating the disorder have been amazing.  This has included the development of the new drug for Erin - Trikafta.  We believe that the cure we’re seeking is close, but we must continue to fund the research, which has already brought us this far.

2024 will be the 31st year that TEAM LUSK has supported the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  To date TEAM LUSK alone has raised over $665,000 for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis.  With the support of our family and friends we hope to continue in our fight against Cystic Fibrosis.

This is a very serious cause for which we are working.  With your help, we will continue to fight in honor of Colleen and for Erin’s future.  Please help us and the 40,000 other people with CF in this country by supporting TEAM LUSK.