acki Caira

My Great Strides Story

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis: a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and friends who face the sobering prospect of a shortened lifespan. I walk for them.

Working alongside the CF community, the CF Foundation has fostered the development of more than a dozen CF treatments and helped add decades of life for people with CF. Yet, many people with CF do not benefit from existing therapies. Our vision is a cure for every person with cystic fibrosis – a life free from the burden of this disease – and we will not leave anyone behind.

As most of you know by now, Maison has Cystic Fibrosis. She has what is considered a “severe” form. She has been on daily (at minimum) breathing treatments since she was born, and has been pancreatic insufficient and requiring enzymes since she was 4 months old.  We have managed to keep her lungs healthy and keep her out of the hospital up until now. I think I lived in a bit of a “cloud” believing she was going to be an anomaly and resistant to the worst effects of this disease. We were obviously given a rude awakening lately and I feel called to do more to get my daughter THE CURE. It breaks my heart to hear my daughter, only 4 1/2, cry to me and tell me “I just Wana be like my friends at school”. My greatest hope is to see my daughter cured in my lifetime and this is the only way I can think of right now to help put that into action. I feel like it’s “meant to be” that this walk falls only a few weeks after her first hospital admission and on the month that matches her name. So here we are…. I’m normally MUCH better with words. I’m Sorry if this reads like jibber jabber, I’ve been sleeping on an air mattress in the hospital for 10 days so I’m tired and a little delirious. 

You can support me!

By supporting my fundraising goal, you have an opportunity in your lifetime to be part of ending this disease. Please consider joining us and help make medical history.