Leanna Behnke

My CF Connection

I lost my best friend Sadie to complications of Cystic Fibrosis in 2015, when she was 23 years old

Sadie never wanted her illness to define her she did everything she could to live the life of a normal college aged girl! We became accustomed to a schedule of hospital stays in between trips and activities. It was only after IV medications and around the clock care that she was strong enough to travel, which was her greatest joy!

Sadie's CF mutation was rare and the length between hospital stays became shorter and shorter. After the holidays in 2014 Sadie was admitted to the hospital with a cold that had transitioned into an infection. After a few weeks of care Sadie’s doctors told her family that her lungs would not recover.

Sadie kept her life separate from the Cystic Fibrosis community and it wasn’t until after she passed that her friends and family became involved with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

We honor Sadie’s memory by being committed to a cure for all patients, friends and families effected by CF!

ABOUT CF

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.