Tracey Rivers

Our daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) when she was 13 months old. It was an unimaginable time in our lives. We began to question our hopes and dreams for our beautiful little girl as we began researching franticly to learn more about this life changing diagnosis.

We learned CF was a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. We also found out that CF effects bone density, the liver, and the pancreas. People with CF must complete daily treatments to help ward off hospital stays that can last for 2 weeks at a time. The worse statistic of all, we found the number of years she was expected to live. We were crushed.

Fortunately, we had the support of family, friends and an unbelievable CF clinic that helped us learn how to care for our sweet Caroline. It was at one of our first clinic visits we learned about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The foundation is a remarkable resource that helps us navigate insurance policies, organizes and supports research studies that help Caroline’s specific mutations and offers resources and answers when questions arise. They are our lifeline to all things related to Cystic Fibrosis. Our local chapter knows Caroline by name and we consider them family members who are only a phone call away.

Real progress has been made for those who have CF, but there is still no cure for this devastating disease and many lives are cut far too short. We’ve come so far, but there’s still so much work to do. I will not stop fighting until all those with cystic fibrosis have a cure.

That’s why I am asking you to donate to this organization. Many times, when we donate to causes we wonder if the money actual goes to the people they are representing. I know from experience the money raised for the CF foundation through Great Strides directly affects Caroline and other CF worriers and their families.

If you would like to learn more about Caroline and her story, visit http://fightcf.cff.org/goto/cure4caroline. Please join us Saturday, May 18, 2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Town Center Park in Suwanee to walk in support of Caroline. If you are not able to make it, consider walking virtually or making a donation. No amount is to small!

We are at a pivotal moment in the history of cystic fibrosis and your support matters. With your help, we can invest our resources in research today, while raising funds for tomorrow, to ensure we have what it takes to reach the finish line. Together, we can make CF stand for Cure Found. Please help me reach my fundraising goal!   *** Love, Tracey