Ann Doty

My Great Strides Story

My grandson, Colt, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was just 3 weeks old. Nearly 40,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis: a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. They face the sobering prospect of a shortened lifespan.

While Colt is a happy little boy who looks healthy, he endures daily treatments to keep his lungs clear of infection and takes pills with each meal to help him digest his food. Colt has just started swallowing whole pills which has been a complete game changer during meal time! Colt received his chest wall oscillation vest in December and has gotten into a routine with his nebulizer and vest treatments. Colt's parents try to keep treatment time fun by letting Colt pick out a fun activity each day to help take his mind off his treatment.

Later this year, Colt should be eligible for the relatively new, but effective, therapeutic drug combination known as “Trikafta,” which was developed with support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and recently approved for certain patients aged 2-6. While there have been some incredible advancements made in the treatment of CF, Colt will live with the disease until a cure is found. I walk for Colt and the other 40,000 people suffering from CF.  By supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, you are joining a growing community of people committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.  Together, we can make CF stand for Cure Found.

 Your support really does make a difference!