Carley Argentieri-Gelder

It’s that time of year again!!! 

As many of you know, Argentieri’s Avengers strides for my older sister Alexandra, 33 (8.5 years post-transplant),  and myself, now 27 years old! Our love and dedication to help all of those living with CF live long, healthy, and productive lives will forever be inspired by their tears, smiles, fortitude, and never-give-up attitudes. We have been blessed to witness, first-hand, how the science, with the help from people like you, has forever changed our lives. The number of people living with cf has now increased from 30,000 nationwide to 40,000 because people are living longer, healthier lives. What a HUGE impact your donations have and continue to have!

Each year we are able to share with all the incredible progress the CFF has made from the support of people like you, and this year is no different. As we write this, we continue to be overwhelmed with emotion! The progress made by the CFF continues to lead science of all kinds. In 2018, I  was quickly headed down the same road as Alexandra, when I began taking a life-altering medication, Trikafta, in November 2019. My life, as well as  thousands of others has changed dramatically because of this medication. I can now talk and laugh without coughing, walk up a flight of steps without gasping for air, and now breathing so much easier. Even more amazing, I have not been hospitalized since November 2019, and prior to then, I was at a point of being hospitalized every two to three months. YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE!!!!  Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come - I am now doing things I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do. I recently got married this past December  to my incredibly supportive husband, Michael!! I have also continued to work as a pediatric nurse and absolutely LOVE every bit of  bit of it. It’s such a rewarding  feeling to be able to give back to them as I have been helped throughout my life.

Alexandra, received a life-saving double lung transplant 8.5 years ago, and is now able to work full-time annd most recently welcomed my beautiful baby nephew in the world! Again, the advancements in science afforded her a second chance to live. Weighing only 50 pounds at the age of 25, in prior years, she would never have been selected to receive a life-saving transplant. So you see, it is only because of YOU, that the CFF has been able to accomplish so much. What a gift!!   

We are slowly witnessing our dreams come true -- our dreams of living our lives to the fullest! However, there are thousands still greatly suffering from cystic fibrosis, and we cannot and will not leave them behind. 

While this progress is remarkable, there are STILL children and adults with different mutations who continue to suffer incredibly as Alexandra and I once had. We cannot leave them behind -- we need to continue this fight for not only an effective treatment for them, but a CURE FOR ALL!  The Foundation maintains a robust pipeline of potential therapies that target the disease from every angle. The more drugs in the pipeline, the greater the odds of producing successful therapies and a cure for all people with CF. Will you please continue to help us complete this journey?  Who doesn’t want to be on a winning team?! The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the best story in modern medicine. 

As shared, the CFF has had a vital impact on all those living with CF, and now includes those who have had a lung transplant. They have continued their commitment to better understand rejection and improve the lives of cf patients who are post-transplant. With donor support and the perseverance of the CFF, the lives of thousands of people living with the horrific disease now have a fighting chance to live a healthy life.  

Again, while we celebrate the milestones, we cannot stop until there is a cure for ALL with CF. We cannot do it without your continued support. We implore you to consider making a donation or creating a team to help raise funds. Remember, your gift is 100-percent tax deductible! You may donate directly by visiting http://fightcf.cff.org/goto/ArgentierisAvengers, venoming me at @CarleyArgentieri, or you may send a check payable to the CFF to 1615 Heather Heights, Hornell, NY 14843.  Thank you for supporting the mission of the CFF, and Argentieri's Avengers!

Carley Argentieri