Hi friends, it's me....Emie Kraus. I am SO HAPPY to tell you that after missing walking in person for Great Strides in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID and last year because I wasn't feeling well, we are BACK! As you probably already know, I was born with cystic fibrosis and diagnosed via my newborn screening, but I don't let the disease or my daily treatment regimen hold me back. This year, I have stayed active by competing on swim team, as well as my school's archery team and taking private tumbling lessons. I am overjoyed to tell you that I continue to be blessed by a MAJOR advancement in a CF medication that was recently FDA approved for CF patients with certain mutations. This triple combo, Trikafta, is proving to be incredibly effective; it appears to be stopping the progression of CF in my body! This is why fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is so important--it IS making a difference...it IS adding tomorrows to the lives of people, like me, with CF. While this medication is a HUGE blessing for me…and I am grateful, it is only available to CF patients with certain mutations…not everyone with CF has access to this life-changing treatment, and this year, I walk for them. We need to continue to fundraise so that EVERYONE with CF has access to a life-changing treatment like Trikafta.
My family formed Emie & Co., a fundraising team for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, because we choose to turn my devastating diagnosis into something positive--an opportunity to raise both money and awareness to improve the lives of those of us living with this awful disease. Thanks to our incredible family and friends, I am thrilled to share that over the last ten years, Emie & Co. has raised over $35,000 to help fight CF. In past years, we have had INCREDIBLE fundraising support from people like my teacher, classmates, friends, family, and community--together, they make walk day even more special by being there to support me, and I love it. We are so very grateful. This year, on Sunday, April 30th, we are walking in the Great Strides walk at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio. YOU can help us by sponsoring our positive effort. If you are in the Columbus area, we would truly love for you to join us at the walk; you know what they say....the more the merrier! By walking, we are helping add tomorrows to the lives of people living with CF.
Thanks for supporting Great Strides and Emie & Co.! Together, we ARE making a difference and adding tomorrows to the lives of people, like me, living with Cystic Fibrosis. If you know of anyone else who may be interested in supporting us, please pass this along....every little bit helps!
XO,
Emie Kraus (and Damon, Jennie, and Rylie)
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