Tony Guzman

My name is Tony, I am 15 years old and I have the honor of being named the Sacramento 2024 Great Strides Walk Ambassador. Let me tell you a little about myself. 

I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 2 weeks old, and my parents had no idea what CF was or what my future would be like. 1 month later, they met with my Medical team at Sutter and they were welcomed with compassion and hope. My medical team provided my family with all of the knowledge and tools they needed for me to succeed, breathing treatments, vest treatments, multiple medications, medical care, assistance and so much more. In my 15 years of life, I can say that I’ve been pretty healthy, I have only been hospitalized 2 times and I have had a couple of surgeries. I had nasal surgery when I was 4 years old, at 7 years old I had my feeding tube put in and I’ve had multiple bronchoscopies. A couple of things I have always struggled with have been weight gain and chronic cough and in September of 2019 I was diagnosed with CF diabetes and I was put on insulin. In December of 2020 I was approved to start taking Trikafta, within a month, I had gained weight and my chronic cough had completely gone away. At 10 years old I took up swimming, I fell in love with it. I noticed that during my swimming seasons, I would gain a little bit of weight and my PFT’s would increase. Swimming after being on Trikafta for 4 months, I saw a huge difference. I did not have to stop and take a breath any more, I kept my weight up I could swim faster and longer without feeling so tired and out of breath and it took my swimming to new level. After 6 months on Trikafta I was taken off insulin because Trikafta regulated my blood sugar and I was no longer considered diabetic. After 3 years on Trikafta, I will soon be able to get my feeding tube removed permanently, my PFT’s have been the highest ever and I am not diabetic, it has truly been life changing.

One thing that has helped my family and I stay connected was our involvement with the local Sacramento Cystic Fibrosis Chapter. Since 2010, my team, Tony’s Troops has been involved in the Great Strides Walk, Taste for a Cure and Cycle for Life and we have helped raised money for new research and medications. I am so excited to continue to be part of history in the goal to make CF stand for Cure Found.

There are approximately 30,000 Americans living with cystic fibrosis. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and friends who struggle every day just to breathe. I walk for them. Will you join me and support my fundraising goal?

Real progress has been made for those who have CF, but there is still no cure for this devastating disease and many lives are cut far too short. We’ve come so far, but there’s still so much work to do. I will not stop striding until all those with cystic fibrosis have a cure. We will not leave anyone behind.  

Please support me!

We are at a pivotal moment in the history of cystic fibrosis and your support matters. With your help, we can invest our resources in research today, while raising funds for tomorrow, to ensure we have what it takes to reach the finish line. Together, we can make CF stand for Cure Found. Please help me reach my fundraising goal!