Team LK

My Great Strides Story

Lauren was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 2000, when she was born. At that time, there were many uncertainties as to what her life would look like with CF: the possibility of severely impaired lung function, pancreatic insufficiency, frequent lung infections, malnutrition, diabetes, lung transplants, not being able to do well in school or work, and concerns about life expectancy and overall quality of life.

However, this would not be Lauren’s story, as she was fortunate to have been born in a time of rapid advancement of clinical research, treatment plans, and technology- spearheaded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and in a state (Colorado) that has long been a leader in CF care. For the first 20 years of her life, she was treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. She is now followed outpatient at National Jewish Health Denver Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and inpatient at St. Joseph Hospital Respiratory Institute.

While Lauren has had difficult periods of time with her health, she credits the CF Foundation, her incredibly skilled team of CF providers, treatment advancements such as Trikafta, her faith, and her support system of family, friends, professors, etc who believe in her and love her unconditionally as the reasons she is stronger, healthier, and more motivated than ever to accomplish anything and everything she sets her mind to (even if she has to go about doing those things a little bit differently than everyone else)!

Lauren is a wife, a full-time college student, a full-time emergency medical technician (NREMT), the president of a student organization, on the dean’s list, a student advisor to the dean at her university, a volunteer, an advocate, an educator, a devotee, a friend, family member, and dog mom.

People like Lauren with CF are now living longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives than ever before. They are reaching milestones and believing in their futures. Join us in supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

We will not stop until CF stands for CURE FOUND!