Debbie Thomason

Because there is NOTHING I won't do to help this sweet boy not have to struggle just to breathe. Because I want him to live a full life and have all the opportunities that life has to offer. Because I believe a CURE is right around the corner. This is why I work so hard every year. Because I KNOW we are making a difference in Aspen's life and those with CF! 

As most of you know, Aspen was born March 29, 2013 and was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis on April 8th. He was in the hospital from April 1st until May 9th of 2013 due to an intestinal atresia and because he wasn't gaining weight. Since that time he has done better than the doctors predicted he would and we are SO grateful. The Lord has been so good to us to allow Aspen to flourish. He is approximately 57 pounds and getting SO tall. Aspen was able to gain 3 pounds in the past 3 months for the first time. Aspen had his first CF related admission in November of 2017. He was in CHOA for 9 days. He was admitted again in November of 2018. He has some remaining inflammation in his airways and some mucus in his lungs but overall, he is doing well. We are SUPER excited he hasn't been admitted in 2019. We are praying he can continue to put on some weight. 

Aspen is such a gift from the Lord! I never realized just how much JOY he would bring into all of our lives. He melts our hearts.  He is funny and has the cutest crooked smile. He is precious as I'm sure you've seen on our Facebook pages. I sort of have a problem with taking pictures! ;) 

Psalm 139:13 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." 

We also know that God sees and God knows! Nothing catches God off-guard or takes Him by surprise. God, knowing all things beforehand, has reminded us through His Word that He is in control and we are clinging to that promise! 

It was my prayer for 2022 that we would REJOICE in how well Aspen is doing but not become too comfortable with his diagnosis that we cease to pray for a miracle cure and we have done just that! We know that the early children years are often called the "quiet years" because children with CF at his age are generally healthy (although we have read of MANY that are already on a feeding tubes, have to be admitted to the hospital many more times and having a difficult time). We pray for these children but it also makes us grateful that Aspen is doing as well as he has. 

Aspen was able to start TRIKAFTA in September 2021. It helped him gain a little weight but some weight that has dropped when he had COVID in December/January. It hasn't made the HUGE difference we were hoping for but his liver is handling the new medicine well and we are HOPEFUL. 

Even with Trikafta... there are many that can't take the drug and it's not the CURE that we are ultimately looking for. However, drugs like this are making a difference in the waiting and are ONLY possible through donations like YOURS! 

Research into a cure is not funded by the government, as it is with some genetic diseases. Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively, as nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. 

Your gift will help add tomorrows to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis by supporting life-saving research and medical progress. Your gift is 100-percent tax deductible.

Making a donation is easy and secure! Just click the "Click to Donate" button on this page to go to make a donation that will be credited to the team. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated! 

"Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org." Please think about joining our team and help ADD tomorrows! 

Please support me!

1) Praying for our family. Your prayers and encouragement mean more than we can say! 

2) Our Great Strides walk is May 18, 2024 at 8:30am in Suwannee, GA! 

3) You can do the above two things AND/OR contribute to our fundraising as well. You will have the choice of contributing towards our $10,000 team goal OR starting your own "team within our team" to raise money on your own for TEAM ASPEN. Please consider setting your OWN goal... $200 or more and asking your friends and co-workers to support this worthy cause! Imagine how much much awareness we could spread for Cystic Fibrosis if everyone shared this status and was willing to raise $200 for TEAM ASPEN! 

 As we look at our precious Aspen we are so grateful for his life. The Lord has been SO good to fill us with HIS PEACE this year and to allow us to enjoy and love him and not worry too much about the future. As Aspen grows, the thought of him struggling becomes harder and harder to think about. There is so much exciting research being done right now. We would love your help in helping Aspen to have many more tomorrows. 

We love and appreciate you all! 

Debbie 

** Just in case you are in the reading mood... you can read Aspen's blog at the following link:

http://google.aspensjourneywithcf.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/aspensjourneywithcf