Leah Buckley

In August of 2009 our daughter and son-in-law announced that we were going to be grandparents, wow…how exciting!  Rachael gave birth on April 25th 2010, to a terrific baby boy, Anderson Michael Pritchard. We were all on a high as first time parents, Rachael and Ben, and first time grandparents, Shannon and I. Life took a sudden turn one day in May when I stopped to see Rachael and Anderson on my way home from work. There my beautiful daughter and first time mother sat in the rocking chair with her newborn son, however Rachael was crying. All she could say was “he is just perfect isn’t he, Momma?” To which I started crying and said “oh yes he is.” Then after we both stopped sniffling and were gazing down at Anderson I asked her why was she saying that. She told me through tears that the pediatricians office had called and Anderson had two markers indicating he had Cystic Fibrosis. 

That is where our journey into CF began almost 13 years ago, but it does not end there. Anderson is 12, and yes, he is perfect, but he happens to have two slightly imperfect genes. His sister Katherine is 9 and has those same two slightly imperfect genes. However, we do not let CF define who they are. 

Terrific advances have been made in the race to find a cure. Both Anderson and Katherine have relatively good health. Anderson did have sinus surgery earlier this year, but is doing well. Thanks for your support as we all search for a cure. It is through your donations that one day in the near future a cure will be found. Thanks for your support year after year.

Love, Leah