Luda Cassidy

Dear family and friends,

Team Abby is excited to participate again in Great Strides Rock Hill this year. All the proceeds are going to non-profit organization Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ( CFF) for research for new CF medications including antibiotics to treat resistant bacteria and cure for CF. As many of you know, Abby was started on one of these new groundbreaking medications. It's called Trikafta. It is targeted at CF population with at least one delta F508 mutation and Abby  happens to have it.  And even though this medication only works for 12 hours ( she has to take it twice a day) and not a cure for CF by any means but we are still grateful we get to see Abby grow a year older and breathe easier. On behalf of our family we want to thank each one of you who donates to Team Abby, shares Abby's story, or walks with us. 

For those who are unfamiliar with Abby's story, you can read it below. 

Thank you again,

The Cassidy Family

Abby's story

Abby was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) when she was only one week old. We got a phone call on Friday afternoon we would never forget. Something turned up abnormal on heel prick test and we had to follow up on Monday at Levine's Children's Hospital. It was the longest weekend ever. From then on it has been a roller coaster kind of journey. From sweat tests to DNA tests to treatments and check ups every 2-3 months kind of journey. CF is a genetic disease in which body makes very thick, sticky mucus. This mucus can't be cleared by the body and it causes problems in the lungs, pancreas , and other organs. Abby had her fair share of struggles to gain weight like the doctors wanted her to, respiratory infections that kept us praying her lungs wouldn't get worse, and doctors' visits that absolutely terrified her when she was little. She is almost 14 now and over her fear of doctors and procedures. Well maybe except for throat cultures because she still doesn't like those :-))
She loves summers and swimming in the pool. She still loves her stuffed animal Cedric who's been by her side and traveled lots of places with her from east coast all the way to the west coast. 

When Abby was 11 she was started on a new medication called Trikafta. CF kids have a defect in the transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein which basically leads to thick and sticky mucus to build up in Abby's lungs. Since she started it we could definitely see the difference in her activity tolerance levels. She  swims on a swim team and is able to keep up with her teammates. 

Abby has wonderful friends who support her no matter what and don't make her feel different because of her medical regimen. We are greatful for that. 

This year we are walking to support Abby and all others who battle Cystic Fibrosis on daily basis. She appreciates every one of you who can join her team, donate or walk for cure.Great Strides is a fun event that provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students, and colleagues to come together to make a difference in the lives of people with CF -- join our team today!