Sara Monks Geringer

My Great Strides Story

Great Strides feels different this year… We continue to see tremendous progress among individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and those undergoing new therapies. We see children and adults reaching birthday milestones that were never thought possible. This year feels different, however. This is the first Great Strides where we are walking in memory of our cousin, Andy, rather than with him.

Andy was born on April 29, 1975. At the time of his CF diagnosis, his care team predicted that he would not see his 18th birthday. But he defied the odds. Andy received regular treatment, exceptional disease management, and benefited from a double-lung transplant in 2001. He continued to live a fairly ordinary life full of fishing, farming, hunting, and caring for his trucks and vintage Trans Am. While we did not live close to Andy, we were fortunate to enjoy dinner and memories after monthly checkups with his transplant team. Andy worked full-time, assisted on the family farm, and performed fundraising and awareness for the CF Foundation (CFF). He understood that his condition, while challenging, still allowed him a fulfilling life and not everyone with CF was so fortunate.

In late summer 2023, Andy contracted respiratory illnesses that would ultimately be stronger than his transplanted lungs. After several weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, Andy was called Home on September 16, 2023. He enjoyed 48 years on this Earth and put-up a fight to stay longer. While his passing is still recent, we can appreciate that his presence was a gift. Each day beyond his 18th birthday is one we had not planned on, but were so grateful to have.

Last year, Andy raised funds for CFF through Great Strides so that the research and medical advancements that benefitted him, could be available for others. This year, we ask for your support in advancing the CFF in Andy’s memory and that one day, CF will stand for Cure Found.

-The Monks Girls