Dominic Torres

My Great Strides Story

My name is Dominic and I was 9 months old when I was diagnosed with CF. 
To say my life so far has been easy would be a lie, it hasn’t but I refuse to look at my challenges and experiences as a negative but to look at them as lessons plans on how to become a strong fighter in life. 

When I was 8 years I had my first of several surgeries, I remember while recovering I had to wear breathing tubes out of my nose, I was so embarrassed to be in public but my family and friends never made me feel different. 

It wasn’t till I became an adult with a chronic illness that I began to really understand the physical and mental complexities of having a lung disease. At times when I’ve gotten sick, I couldn’t  help but think about my future. I’ve asked myself “what will it look like?” “Will someone love me with this illness?” Or “how long of a future will I have?” 

The experience living with an illness is a very specific and unique one that not everyone understands. Depression and anxiety have become a part of my daily life, but luckily with great doctors, therapy and a little medication cocktail I’m able to manage it pretty well. 

But as I enter into my next Act in life it has become more clear to me what my purpose here is. It’s to use my loud voice to help others, to be loud for others, to educate others. I believe that the more vulnerable we are and the more of our human stories we tell, the more empathy grows and ultimately heals. 

I want to create a space were people from all walks of life can her my story and stories like mine and feel a little less alone. Cause at the end of the day I believe we all just want to be seen, heard and loved. 

Look my whole life has been learning to navigate an uphill battle, we twists and turns, I’ve fallen many times but have always managed to get back up. I’ve never backed down from a fight and I don’t intend to start. This is only a tiny slice of my story and I can promise it’s only the beginning..

A bit of education: 

There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. By participating in Great Strides, I am helping to end this disease for thousands of people impacted by CF.

Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. The symptoms can vary from person to person, and as people with CF live longer than ever before, their disease can become more complicated, leading to serious health issues.  

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has made extraordinary progress — including fostering the development of more than a dozen CF treatments — but these treatments are not a cure and not everyone can benefit from them. We must keep going.

Your support makes a difference.

By donating to my fundraising goal, you will help advance our mission for a cure for all. Please consider joining us and helping make CF stand for Cure Found.