Kristin Rhea

On Tuesday September 21, 2010 around 11:00am, a nurse walked into the waiting room, knelt down in front of me, put her hand on my knee, and said "I'm so sorry. The sweat test came back positive." I went numb. Many emotions were rushing over me all at once that all I could do was go numb, other than the tears falling down my face. I sat there for a long time trying to gather my thoughts but all I could think was WHY. After that, we went and met with the doctor that would be treating Madison. During that very lengthy 4 hour visit, so much information was given to us and by the end of the visit, every emotion imaginable, I was feeling. I was scared, angry, sad, you name it, I was feeling it. The 5 hour car ride from UVA to our home in Belfast, VA was quiet. Neither my husband or myself knew what to say. The next few days were a challenge. I had to learn how to care for a newborn Cystic Fibrosis child, while learning how to be a new mom. I already had a daughter, but she was easy. She came into my life at the age of 6 and was healthy. This was an all new challenge.

Fast forward 13 and 1/2 years later. The feelings I had that day are almost non-existent. The reason, medical advancements. New medications have been introduced that makes the quality of life better and extend the life expectancy. One such medication, Trikafta. Since starting Trikafta the difference we have seen is amazing.
In 2020, Madison weighed just a little over 50 lbs and her BMI was extremely low. Now she is 92 lbs and BMI is close to 50 %, best she has ever been! Even though her lung function has always been good she is now 115%.  Madison has also been able to come off of a few meds. Donations from people like you made this medication possible, and made this family go from worryfull to worryless. Thanks to you, you have given hope to families, like mine, that started this journey numb and scared. You have given us a sense of almost certainty a cure is around the corner.

This is our 10th year participating in a Great Strides Event. Walking to raise money and awareness for a much needed cure. Please consider making a donation to our team to help us add tomorrows for so many living with this disease. No amount is too small.

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. I walk for them and hope you will support me in my efforts.

Real progress has been made in the search for a cure, but the lives of people with CF are still cut far too short. There still is no cure for this devastating disease. By walking today, I am helping add tomorrows to the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis. Will you join me? Support me by making a donation to my Great Strides fundraising campaign today!

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.