Jaymie Depalo

Welcome back for the 5th year of Luca's Gladiators. Our amazing NATIONAL team! Last year we attended 3 walks across two states and raised over $15,000! We couldn’t do it without your continued support. 

We know the last few years have not been easy for anyone, but one thing was for sure, Luca’s Gladiators never stood down and never gave up for our sweet boy!

In late 2019, the CF community had the biggest breakthrough yet with the approval of the three-drug combo drug called Trikafta that has proven to be life-changing for those living with Luca’s mutation of the CF gene. Even people with end-stage lung failure are benefiting from this drug. It truly is a miracle. As of June 2021, they have now approved Trikafta for the 6-11 year age range; This is incredible news! News like this could not be made possible without donations like these and the hard work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - West Florida Chapter!
While we wait for Luca to be able to take this miracle drug we started his first CF modulator drug back in June of 2020 called Orkambi. He takes his medication twice daily to reduce the chance of him needing intravenous antibiotics and to encourage weight gain. He still struggles with weight gain, but we are hopeful he will turn that around soon. This boy loves steak. He is our little warrior!

Luca is now 4 1/2 years old if you can believe it! He is enjoying PRE-K full-time and loves his friends. If you know him at all, you know he is obsessed with dinosaurs. He has quite the collection of dinos and can school you on any dinosaur you ask him about (name, what they eat, etc.).  Recently, he has really been interested in space. He says he wants to be an Astronaut when he grows up! 

He loves his family more than anything, especially his big sister "sissy". He is such a delight to everyone he meets. He loves to talk and hold conversations with any stranger he comes around. His favorite activities nowadays include playing with dinosaurs (obviously), going to the zoo/aquarium, requesting to watch videos about science, going on airplanes, and playing with his friends. He does not let his diagnosis slow him down in the least and still is such a champ when it comes to vest treatments, airway clearance and taking his multiple medications. We love watching him grow up!

We are are so excited to hear our West Coast chapter has combined the St. Pete/ Tampa walk this year on May 20th! We can not wait to celebrate Luca and our amazing team of Gladiators that support us and this amazing cause this spring! 

Like last year we hope to continue traveling with Luca’s Gladiators. Find us at a walk near you! 

With your continued support our little team has raised over $40,000 to date!!!

Please consider joining our team as a walker, virtual walker (that’s right you don’t need to be near to be on our team), or donating to one of our many wonderful Gladiators so we can continue to stride towards a cure for cystic fibrosis. Soon we know CF will stand for Cure Found! 

Thank you and love to you all!The DePalos and Luca’s Gladiators

We dedicate this years walk to Luca’s Great Grams, Rita DePalo who recently left us. She was one of Luca’s biggest supporters! 

My Great Strides Story

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis: a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and friends who face the sobering prospect of a shortened lifespan. I walk for them.

Working alongside the CF community, the CF Foundation has fostered the development of more than a dozen CF treatments and helped add decades of life for people with CF. Yet, many people with CF do not benefit from existing therapies. Our vision is a cure for every person with cystic fibrosis – a life free from the burden of this disease – and we will not leave anyone behind.

You can support me!

By supporting my fundraising goal, you have an opportunity in your lifetime to be part of ending this disease. Please consider joining us and help make medical history.