Robyn Cordes

After the pandemic has rendered our walk virtual two years in a row, we are celebrating back at Peace Valley this year in person on 5/20/23. Every year we have walked and hiked to celebrate Megan. Our beautiful daughter is now 21 years old, has completed her second year of college including a semester abroad in Europe amidst continuing pandemic restrictions. When we started participating in this walk over 21 years ago, we could not always see a time where Megan and CF could handle a pandemic, college, trips abroad - life in general. It was a very rough beginning, but there was always hope for a better life ahead.

We have participated in Great Strides and various other fundraising efforts since 2002 after Megan was diagnosed with this devastating genetic disease at birth and Megan has been fighting ever since. Megan has never let her disease limit her. She still does at least 2 hours of breathing treatments a day, takes several pills a day and manages nutritional needs with a large diet. Megan continues to study at Emerson College for theater and has been managing all of her medical treatments and supplies, insurance and any accommodations mostly herself – at school and even abroad.

Fast forward from that first walk 21 years ago and you can see CF treatments are completely different and improved. Almost four years ago, Megan started the long awaited drug, Trikafta, the latest version of a gene modifying medication (MRNA technology, for those interested...not unlike the Covid Vaccines). If you follow us on social media, we announced the day she started- her lungs immediately cleared out. She said she didn't even know she couldn't breathe well. Since then, Megan has gained healthy weight on her own and improved her lung function. Three years ago she was finally able to have her feeding tube removed, something she has had since she was a toddler. She still has to continue almost all of her maintenance care and medications, but we are hopeful over time even that will change. We cannot believe how close we are to a cure. But it is NOT a cure, there is NO remission, so we continue to fight. In addition, there are many others with CF that this medication does not work for - people who are working and fighting right alongside of us. We owe it to these families to make sure there are treatments for everyone and eventually a cure for all!!!!

We have committed to raising funds every year for this cause so near to our hearts and are asking for your help again in raising support for research to cure this deadly disease. We are so excited to be back in person and hope you can join Team Meggers on walk day and help raise funds. You can join right here and start raising today. It's easy, it's fun and it will help save Megan's life and give her hope for a cure one day. There are treatments and drug therapies that have changed the outcome of this once deadly disease. Our efforts will make Megan's life long and full. If you can't join us would you please consider making a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation? Making a donation on-line is easy and secure! Just click the "Donate to me" button at the bottom of this page.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF like Megan. Last year we raised over $5000.00. We have recently started a new foundation with similar fundraising efforts and we are able to kick off Team Meggers with a $10,000.00 donation. (Total of $26,000.00 to the Peace Valley Walk!!!) Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and Great Strides! But more importantly, thank you for praying and being with us as we watch Megan grow. Help us find a cure soon and be part of Team Meggers today! Thank you.