Brian Blundell

Please be my LIFESAVER!

My name is Brayden.

This is my life story:

When I was born, eight years ago, my new born screening reflected a positive result for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). My parents knew I had the potential for being a carrier for CF, because my mom is a carrier. Unfortunately, Cystic Fibrosis is no stranger to my family. My mother had a cousin who try was born with CF in 1975. He battled a severe case of CF until he lost this battle 2 months before his 21st birthday. When my parents wanted to start a family, they were tested to ensure that my dad was not a CF carrier. The results reflected that my dad was not a carrier. I have a big sister that was born in 2012 and is very healthy and does not have CF. When I was born in 2016, it took 11 months of multiple sweat tests, blood tests, along with many visits to the Pulmonologist, Primary Care Physician and Geneticists before they come to the conclusion that my dad carried a rare gene of CF. The CF gene combination which I carry is very unique, as only .24% of the CF populations have this CF gene combination. Since my diagnosis almost sox years ago, my parents have been trying hard to retain healthy lungs for as long as possible. I am blessed at this time, because my pancreas is fully functioning and my lungs are in pretty good shape. Together with the CF clinic at OU Children's Hospital in OKC, OK, we have a routine of twice a day chest physical therapy using a vest connected to a air compressor (helps break up mucous in my body), vitamin regime and I have started the “miracle” drug Trikafta that was made possible by donors to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!  Sometimes this routine can take up to an hour in the morning and at night. My parents have to be very vigilant to keep my exposure to germs and illness at a minimal. However, this can be very difficult because my parents work full time to in order to pay insurance costs, uninsured medicines and doctor expenses, and to help save for my future. Our "normal" routine has been adjusted to help me live long past the average life expectancy of CF patients of 53 years of age (increase of almost ten years with the new drug  Trikafta). Please help me raise awareness for cystic fibrosis by donating on my page to support our virtual walk on May 11, 2024. All proceeds go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please help me to reach my goal!!!

Brayden Blundell