Jason Maness

Our family was introduced to this disease on November the 7th 2011 when our second daughter, Ava, was born. We had no knowledge what this disease was prior to her birth and when we first heard the news we went through all the emotions that parents encounter when they learn their newborn has a chronic-life threatening disease. We have learned a lot in her 16 months of life that has altered the way we go about our daily lives and has brought our family closer together. Once Ava had her results in the doctors asked my wife (who has suffered with chronic asthma her whole life) and my oldest daughter (the test for CF was not required at the time of her birth) to be tested. Our oldest daughter was clear but we learned that my wife has the disease. Although her case isn’t as severe as Ava’s, it did help explain a lot of her medical issues throughout her life. Now with 50% of our family diagnosed with this disease we asked what we could do to help the cause and was introduced to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We learned that the CFF receives no federal funding and that it has one of the greatest ratings for a non-profit organization. Every dollar that goes to the foundation equals 90 cents that will be applied toward research to find a cure for this disease that many children suffer with daily.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

There are approximately 30,000 Americans living with cystic fibrosis. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends and co-workers who struggle every day just to breathe. We walk for them. Will you join us? All we need you to do to become a member of our team is click on the "Join our Team" button. From there you can make a donation and start your fundraising.

By becoming a member of our team and making a donation, you are joining a growing group of people committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Together, we are adding tomorrows to the lives of people living with CF by supporting the search for a cure.

Great Strides is a fun, family-friendly event that raises awareness and support for people with CF and their families.

Please support me!

Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating to my Great Strides fundraising campaign. Your gift will help add tomorrows to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis by supporting life-saving research and medical progress. Your gift is 100-percent tax deductible.