Team Alyssa

• The average life expectancy of a child born with CF between 2017-2021 is now 53 years old!! (It was optimistically 15 in 1985 when Alyssa was born.)
• There are now 40,000 people in the US with CF, a 25% increase over the past decade. And for the first time, adults represent 60% of the CF population.
• There are 23,000 people ages 4 months and up taking a modulator therapy for CF. This directly affects and corrects the gene causing the CF gene to malfunction. Many patients report normal breathing for the very first time in their life.
• Because of improved health status, lung transplantation has decreased significantly and is now reserved for those with severe lung disease, and, the number of pregnancies in women with CF has continued to increase significantly starting in 2020.
• The number of lung infections and worsening of lung symptoms has decreased dramatically since 2021. That means, (to quote Alyssa) less dreaded IV antibiotics, fewer hospital admissions, and not feeling really lousy every day ... what a miracle!

*****

October 20, 2022

Dear Friends and Supporters of Team Alyssa,

Today marks the second anniversary of Alyssa's passing. As I reflect on life here in 2022, I can't help but be filled with gratitude. I am sad, of course, I miss Alyssa and Chuck terribly. But, her indomitable spirit and gusto for life remain with me and spur me on every day. My appreciation for each and every one of you and your long-time support for cystic fibrosis and our family overwhelm me with love and thanks.

The success and progress of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation continues to change and improve the lives of those with cystic fibrosis every single day, and a diagnosis of CF is no longer a death sentence. The science and research continue until there is no CF patient left behind and a final cure is found. So today, I am celebrating all these incredible milestones, as well as our girl Alyssa and her zest for life and indelible mark on the world, and that so many of us were lucky enough to be part of her world. I just wanted you all to know how much a part of my eternal gratitude you are.
As always, I love you all.

Honi xxoo 

PS- and I never give up. If you'd like to make a donation to CFF and Team Alyssa, please click on the donate button.

May 19, 2022

My Dear Team Alyssa Supporters,

Only 3 days to go until Sunday, the 22nd, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides Walk in Hummelstown. After two years virtual, it will be great to see each other again and walk in unison for Team Alyssa. If you have a green Alyssa-designed shark shirt, please wear it. Brooke will have a few available at the walk, but not a full size range. Please locate Brooke on Sunday. She will be in charge of Team Alyssa. Registration begins at 12pm and the walk will be held at Schaffner Park in Hummelstown.

My broken hip is finally on the mend and I'm beginning to walk. I'm just not quite ready to come and hug you on Sunday. I've had a small setback this week and broke my collarbone, but I'm home and healing, and lucky that all my past breaks survived this tumble. So, I am sending virtual love and hugs to you all.

Lastly, if you have any plans of coming on Sunday (to walk or not), please try to register. And of course, donations to Team Alyssa and the CFF are always needed for the vital research to find the ultimate cure. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have already generously given.

Again, thank you thank you for all your love and support all these years and your understanding of my current situation.

I love you all.

Honi

xxoo

PS- If you are unable to participate in the walk on Sunday in Hummelstown, please put on your Team Alyssa shirt, walk in your neighborhood, and send me pictures!!

***

May 1, 2022

Dear Friends and Supporters of Team Alyssa,

Here it is May already! 

The Great Strides walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Hummelstown will be held three weeks from today on May 22nd. Team Alyssa has always been a strong force at the walk with our large numbers of walkers wearing our green Team Alyssa shark shirts and through the amount of donations raised. That's why I am heartbroken as I write this to you.

I know that Alyssa and Chuck would understand my situation, I'm just hard on myself!

My recovery from a fall on March 5, is going much more slowly than I anticipated. The broken hip is healing and I have been home from rehab for the past 4 weeks. I have full time nursing care, plus PT and OT, and I am just beginning to take steps. I will not be able to attend the walk in person this year. I would be there to thank and hug you as always, if I possibly could. Our team will be smaller, but mighty as always. My youngest daughter, Brooke, will be there to run the show. Brooke will provide all the hugs and enthusiasm from all the Kiblers!

If you possibly can, please register to walk! You can also donate to Team Alyssa. So far we have 12 walkers registered and $859 raised. A huge thanks to those of you who have already generously donated to our cause. 

Please wear your green shark shirt, if you have one from previous walks. 

Our dollars are still vital. Please participate as much as you possibly can. I will be with you in spirit of course!

Anyone born with CF today, will most likely stay healthy and live a normal lifespan with all the treatments now available. This is due to your generosity over the years. We are still striving to find that final cure, so no one with CF will suffer again.

Thank you all for your incredible support and generosity all these years. I am so filled with love and gratitude for each and every member of Team Alyssa. 

Please call if you have any questions.

Honi

xxoo

***

March 29, 2022

Dear Friends and Family of Team Alyssa,

Happy Spring, I think! I hope you are all well and survived this crazy winter with as little stress and inconvenience as possible. As the one year anniversary of Chuck's passing approaches on April 10th, I think more and more of his greatest wish to cure cystic fibrosis. And, how fast we are approaching his goal.

The new treatments and pipeline for all of those with cystic fibrosis is astounding and grows every day ... ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!

Thank you for your generosity and caring!

I also thought I better write to fill you in on my circumstances. I wish this was an April Fools joke, but unfortunately it is not. On March 6, I fell and broke my other hip. After surgery and a week in the hospital, I have been in a rehab center in Mechanicsburg trying hard to recover. This is my most difficult battle yet. 

On a lighter note, Great Strides is BACK LIVE on Sunday, May 22, at noon in Hummelstown. Register TODAY! 

Since my presence is questionable right now, Brooke has agreed to take the reins for Team Alyssa that day, and I will do my very best to be there as well, to hug and thank each and every one of you. Please register to walk! Donate to Team Alyssa. And, please continue to fight for both Alyssa and Chuck. More information will follow.

I love you all,

Honi

xxxooo

December 29, 2021

Dear Friends and Family of Team Alyssa,

Well, here we are at the end of 2021. A year, I personally shall be happy to see depart. I hope you all had a glorious Christmas season with your families. The bright spot of this past year has been YOU! Each and every one of you brought our greatest goal -- finding a final cure for cystic fibrosis -- ever closer to reality. The science has been amazing and exciting and grows exponentially each day. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation leads all of medicine with the number of initiatives on so many fronts to finally close the chapter on this terrible disease. These trials and research all have a great cost and this is where we shine.

To date for 2021, Team Alyssa has raised an astounding $15,558.14 ... so far!! And that is with having to hold our Great Strides event virtually for the second straight year. We are so close to our goal of raising $20,000. There is still time to add to that total and reach our goal before our books close on 12/31/21. 

I'm praying we can all meet in Hummelstown next year on May 22, 2022, to walk and hug and support our important cause. It would make Alyssa and her Dad so very happy!

Here's hoping 2022 brings us only magical things.

I love you all,

Honi
xxoo

***

October 20, 2021

Dear Friends and Family of Team Alyssa,

I am thinking of you all today and wanted to reach out to let you know once again how much I love you and appreciate all we have accomplished over these many years. Team Alyssa has contributed an astounding amount of money to make CF = Cure Found and continues to do so even after the passing of our inspiration herself.

The goal is so close!

Patient trials are underway that actually correct the DNA in the malfunctioning CF mutation.

Today is the one-year anniversary of Alyssa's death, which seems impossible to me. I am trying to embrace her wacky spirit and incredible determination to live her life as she wished. What a role model!

I have heard from so many of you today and it warms my heart and soul to know how much she touched each and every person she met. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Please celebrate your love and families these upcoming holidays in memory of our brave girl.

xxoo,

Honi

PS- Incredibly, Team Alyssa has raised $13,192.14 to date for the year 2021! Please feel free to donate until December 31st to support this year's fundraising efforts. Click here for more information.

**

June 28, 2021

Dear Friends and Supporters of Team Alyssa,

So sorry I've been out of commission and haven't sent a recent update. I've fell and broke my hip the end of May and have been in the hospital and rehab for the past 5 weeks. I'm home and doing much better now.

Along with Brooke and Becca, we have decided to host the 2nd Annual Team Alyssa Mini Walk on July 10, 2021. Alyssa's birthday was July 9th and Brooke will be here for the event. Alyssa LOVED the gathering last year and sat on the driveway like a Queen. We will meet at 2:00 PM, on July 10, at our home, 120 Woodridge Drive, and walk around the block in honor and memory of both Alyssa and Chuck.

Please wear your Alyssa-designed Team Shark shirts (if you need one, I ordered a few extras for that day.) We had about 25 people last year, the more the merrier. If you are unable to attend, please walk in your neighborhood wearing your shark shirt and send me a picture!

We hope to see you!

Our 2021 Team Alyssa fundraising is going very well and currently stands at $11,499.14 (57% of our $20,000 goal.)  If you would like to donate, please click the link or contact me for other options.

In the meantime, we hope to see you at the Team Alyssa Mini Walk

2:00 PM

July 10, 2021

120 Woodridge Drive, Harrisburg, PA.

Thank you all for your support and generosity. I love you all.

Honi xoxoxo

****

May 7, 2021

Dear Friends and Supporters of Team Alyssa,

It is finally May, our traditional month to Stride for cystic fibrosis. Again, like last year, because of COVID restrictions the walks will be held virtually. The national date is May 15th and you can log on and participate then, or at any time you choose to dedicate your walk to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. More to follow about an upcoming Team Alyssa mini walk.

It's with great sadness and loss that I must tell you of the recent passing of my husband and Alyssa's Dad, Chuck Kibler. Many of you already know, but many may not have heard. On April 10, Chuck lost his battle with Agent Orange caused lymphoma, from exposure in Vietnam when he was 19 years old. His best Army buddy, said, "he survived the war, but he couldn't beat the Agent Orange."

Chuck's greatest wish and passion for the past 35 years was to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, Alyssa's lifelong battle. He was extremely generous personally and worked incredibly hard to raise awareness on a local, state, and national level. Nothing made him happier than seeing those numbers climb on the Team Alyssa team page, no matter how big or small the increment.

So, we will walk again, like we did last year, with our own Kibler mini-walk on Saturday, July 10 at 4:00 PM, around our block at 120 Woodridge Drive in Harrisburg. Brooke, Becca, and I chose this day to celebrate Alyssa's 36th Birthday (July 9.) Brooke will be here from South Carolina, to join the party! Alyssa so enjoyed the mini-walk last summer, from her driveway "throne" as did her Dad and I. (Even Jason Momoa showed up!) We were so proud of our friends and family for the incredible love and support we felt.

Sign up to donate (be a walker if you choose), but please don your green, Alyssa-designed CF shark shirt, and walk in memory and solidarity for both Alyssa and Chuck.

We continue to strive to make CF stand for Cure Found! If you haven't walked before, no worries! I'll have extra shirts. That sea of green shirts makes us so proud!

I love you all and appreciate all you have done to support us all these years. Contact me if you have any questions, and I will hopefully see you on July 10th.

As the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation says, "we stride until it's done."

Honi xo

*****

March 6, 2021

Dear Friends and Supporters of Team Alyssa,

As I write to you it still feels like winter, but I know Spring is coming! And that means Great Strides for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Team Alyssa. And even though Alyssa is no longer with us physically, she is definitely here in spirit urging us on to never stop until we find the cure!

There are many of you receiving this letter for the first time because you recently donated to Team Alyssa and CFF in memory of Alyssa. Welcome! We are so happy you are with us. 

Great Strides will be virtual again this year. The CFF has designated May 15, 2021, at 11:00AM as a National Walk Day Virtual Event. We will definitely have a Kibler "mini walk" like last year, sometime this Spring or early Summer. We will stride around our block and proudly wear our Team Alyssa green shark shirts. More information will follow.

Kibler Update:

Unfortunately, Chuck has been ill for the past few months. The lymphoma he got from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam has reappeared and he is currently going through aggressive treatment. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He's tough as we all know!

Even though we are virtual again, due to Covid, we still need you to register as walkers and, of course, donate to Team Alyssa! The fight for the cure never ends, until CF = Cure Found!

Last year we raised $30,000+ in honor and memory of our brave girl. Let's keep her wish alive. 

In gratitude, with much love to you all, 

Honi

xoxoxo

December 17, 2020

Dear Friends and Supporters of Team Alyssa,

Greetings of the season to you all! We hope you and your families are all safe and well this crazy holiday season. We all look forward to 2021. This is our final Team Alyssa update of 2020. And will be short! I promise.

Since Alyssa's passing almost two months ago, you have raised an incredible amount in her memory to bring her greatest wish to fruition -- to make CF = Cure Found. We can find no words to express our gratitude. We just learned that Alyssa is being awarded the 2020 Central PA CF Star Award for her "unwavering dedication to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Central PA Chapter." The impact she made in the Foundation has created a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. We are incredibly proud of Alyssa and she would have loved receiving this honor. Her influence has been far-reaching and we are still receiving reminders of this every single day.

From the Kibler family to yours, we send love and gratitude and the promise to continue Alyssa's fight for the cure.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Honi and the entire Kibler family
xoxo

PS- The current total for Team Alyssa stands at $29,160. In addition, donations came in for the CFF Breath of Life Gala in Alyssa's honor, bringing our grand total to $49,660 ... truly amazing!! The books on 2020 will close very soon, if you still wish to donate for 2020, please do so today. Thank you!

October 28, 2020

Dear Family and Friends of Team Alyssa,

This is the update I never wanted to write. Last Tuesday, October 20, our warrior and team namesake, Alyssa Kibler, lost her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Many of you will know this, but many of our supporters will not have heard this heartbreaking news.

Just as she was fierce and independent in life, so she was in death. She did it her way 100% - in charge and in no pain. We are sad beyond belief, but we are so proud of her.

This is not a fundraising letter, although you can donate make a donation to honor Alyssa, as many of you have already done. (We never say no to finding that cure!)

We will continue Alyssa's fight. Hopefully with the pandemic far behind us, we will gather in May in Hummelstown, and walk as always in her honor and memory. Team Alyssa will live on.

Thank you dear friends, our Team Alyssa family, for your many years of love and support.

There are no words.

We love you all.

Honi and the entire Kibler family
xoxo

***

September 16, 2020

Dear Friends of Team Alyssa,

Good wishes to you all. Sorry it's been so long since my last update. With everything going on in this world I hope you are all staying safe and healthy and loving your family. There's a new Great Strides initiative from the CF Foundation that I want to tell you all about, but first an ...

Alyssa Update:
Alyssa was home for over 6 months due to sheer stubbornness and fear of Covid-19. She finally gave in and was readmitted to the hospital 2 1/2 weeks ago. She was put in the ICU this past Saturday as a precaution, but her condition worsened and she had to be placed on a ventilator on Sunday to give her lungs a rest and improve her oxygen exchange. We ask for prayers and want to thank you and your prayer chains for all the awesome efforts you are making. She is showing signs of improvement from the treatment and prayers and the doctors are encouraged. She is still vented and sedated, but comfortable and healing. Please keep praying!

Now to Great Strides-
At present our Team Alyssa total for 2020 stands at $11,063, from your generosity and efforts. There's a new challenge this weekend, Sept 18-20, from the CF Foundation, called 65 Hours for 65 Roses! It starts Friday at 7am. As your Team Leader, I've accepted the challenge to help the chapter raise $6500. The Kiblers are pledging an additional $200 to get us started. We understand many of you already donated in the Spring. We appreciate any additional gifts you can make. Click here to make your donation.

Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and prayers. I will keep you updated on the progress of our feisty fighter! Please contact me if you have any questions and know that we love you all!

Happy New Year to all who observe.

xoxoxo

Honi

****

June 2, 2020

Dear Friends of Team Alyssa,

It's JUNE! I can't believe it. I'm hoping you and your families are all safe and well. I just have a few thoughts and reminders for this week:
We have currently raised $6,622 towards our team goal of $20,000 and have registered around 20 walkers.
Friday, 6/5 is the national virtual celebration of the CFF and Great Strides. RSVP to watch online here.
Also on Friday, 6/5 at 6:00 PM, join us for a mini-walk around the Kibler's block, at 120 Woodridge Drive in Harrisburg. All are welcome. Don your green Team Alyssa shirt ... and your mask ... and we will walk 6 feet apart to support the cause.
Alyssa, who is still at home, will be sitting in our driveway to receive all our love and support. She is very excited about this event. If you can't walk with us, walk around your own neighborhood and send us pictures!

There's no deadline on donations! Team Alyssa 2020 is open until December 31st ... Click here to donate!

Thank you, thank you to everyone who has generously donated already. Our cause continues despite Covid-19, social unrest, and the recent changes in all of our lives.

We love you all! I'll keep you posted on our progress and our girl throughout the summer.

Be safe.

Honi
xoxo
717-608-0946

PS- If you don't have a green shirt, I have some extras.

***

Dear Friends of Team Alyssa,

I hope this finds you all safe and well. This will be short, I promise!

First, thank you so much for all of your generous donations and registering to "walk!" We currently have 18 registered team members, virtual of course, and have raised $4,896. Many of you enjoyed the virtual Central PA Pep Rally on May 16. Thank you for watching and wearing your Team Alyssa shirts for a walk in your neighborhoods. We plan to do the same on June 5, to celebrate the CFF's 65 years of caring and fundraising.

Click here to find out more.

And, thank you all who sent pictures in your shark shirts. These are great and brought us so much enjoyment. See if you can find the Kiblers in the collage. More pictures will be shared soon!

And, it's not too late to:

• Donate to Team Alyssa
• Virtually "walk"
• Participate 6/5
• Send us pictures in your Team Alyssa t-shirts (text to Alyssa- 717-497-1501 or Honi- 717-608-0946)

This has been a difficult year for our fundraising efforts. But, because of you all, we are doing it!!! I just miss all of your hugs and smiling faces.

Questions? Call, email, or text me.

As always, I love and appreciate you all.

Honi
xoxo

PS- Alyssa Update: She is still home! And determined to stay here!

***

February 22, 2020

Dear Friends and Family of Team Alyssa,

Hi Everybody! I hope your holidays were glorious! I apologize for being so absent since my Thanksgiving letter. In mid-December, I had yet another fall, broke my pelvis and tailbone, and spent almost a month in the hospital and rehab. I have been home healing for the past 6 weeks. Alyssa was in the hospital for 10 weeks and has had a really rough go. She is home now, we are all thrilled to have her back where she belongs and looking forward to spring.

Spring, as you all know, brings the Hummelstown Great Strides and the walk for Team Alyssa and CF. The date this year is Sunday, May 17, registration begins at noon, and the walk will start at 1:00 PM, at Schaffner Park in Hummelstown. Last year, we had 50+ walkers and raised almost $20,000! Huge goals to match and exceed in 2020! But, this team is awesome, and I know we can do it!

Join us by registering as a team member to walk and donate to Team Alyssa. Last year, brought the miracle drug, Trikafta, to benefit 90% of people with cystic fibrosis. There are many more miracles in the research pipeline, so our fundraising is more important than ever.

Thank you all, as always, you are THE BEST!

Love to all, 

Honi xxxooo

Thanksgiving 2019

Dear Family and Friends of Team Alyssa,

It is the season of gratitude and thanksgiving. Rarely in my life have I felt as grateful as I do today, as I write to you. While we cannot use the word cure - yet - we can definitely use the word MIRACLE! The FDA has recently approved a miracle drug, named, Trikafta, which will benefit 90% of patients with cystic fibrosis. Each of you is responsible for this miracle. Because of this new drug, younger patients and those born with cystic fibrosis today will not suffer ill effects from this horrific disease and should live their lives symptom-free. Patients who have been in the trials have shown remarkable improvement in lung function, weight gain, and overall quality of life. Even patients with severe disease, like Alyssa, have shown positive results from this drug. Alyssa is not taking Trikafta yet, but we are eagerly waiting for her to start. So, thank you all for being part of this miracle!

Our Great Strides team in 2019 had the BEST YEAR EVER!! We raised just under $20,000, because of your participation and generosity. Nationally, Great Strides has raised $36.4 million so far this year for cystic fibrosis research and patient care. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has pledged to find a treatment for the remaining 10% of patients who cannot benefit from Trikafta. They will NEVER STOP and NEITHER CAN WE until CF is a thing of the past!!

So this Thanksgiving, as we sit around our bountiful tables with our loved ones, please know that our prayers have been answered this past year. We still have more work to do, but a miracle is a miracle, and we are truly blessed! Our page is up and running for Team Alyssa for the 2020 Great Strides. Please feel free to register to walk, donate, or volunteer. We need you all, we love you, and we thank you.

I will be sending you more information soon.

Have a joyous Thanksgiving!

Honi xxoo

*****

November 15, 2019

Team Alyssa Update and Great Strides Wrap-up!

Dear Friends and Family, 

We are gearing up for Great Strides 2020!! In 2019, we had a beautiful day, about 60 walkers on Team Alyssa alone, and raised more than ever before. To date, Team Alyssa's total is $19,600+ and additional donations are still coming in! Alyssa got discharged from Hershey Medical Center mere hours before the walk and was in attendance as always. (We want to know who she bribed to get sprung, but she won't tell us.) A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE OF YOU WHO WALKED, DONATED, GAVE MORAL SUPPORT, and TRAVELED FAR DISTANCES to be there. We appreciate it more than words can express.

So what's next? We keep going to raise funds for that vital research to find a cure. This website stays open through 2019, so donations are welcomed at any point. 

Much love, 

Honi xxoo

717-545-9660; 717-608-0946