Olivia Surry

This year’s walk feels just a little bit different.

On a hot summer day in July of 1998, our lives were forever changed. Over the course of the past 25 years, my family and I have endured treatments, several surgeries, hospital visits, rounds of antibiotics and much, much more. I tend to not speak very publicly about CF and that’s probably because of a few reasons. I don’t really like to give it anymore attention than it deserves, I don’t let it bother or hinder me and I certainly never allow it to get in my way.

Fast forward to 2022 on another hot summer day in July, we were given the greatest gift we could have asked for. Ronan Joseph was born on July 1st after 26 hours of labor and 38 weeks of pregnancy. I like to think Ronan being born the same month I was diagnosed was God’s way of smiling down on us and letting us know that it was all worth it. Not only did our dream of becoming parents come true, but we beat the odds. Pregnancy and CF just weren’t talked about together too much 25 years ago, so motherhood certainly wasn’t discussed at all either. Thanks to countless hours of research and generous donors, the CF Foundation has developed life-changing medications that have completely shifted the course of my health. So thanks to them and a whole lot of fight, I look forward to watching Ronan grow up and making his dreams come true - because he was mine. ❤

Big thanks to my cousin/sister/friends, our family and our amazing friends who’ve never made me doubt the love and support we have fighting behind us each day.

We are at a pivotal moment in the history of Cystic Fibrosis and with your help, we can make CF stand for Cure Found.