A to Zetta

Meet Zetta Dove Kirkland, our three-year-old CF Fighter! Zetta was born on July 17, 2020. We were informed six days after her birth that she has a rare genetic mutation that causes Cystic Fibrosis. 

Zetta is an absolute light in our lives, and we fight every day to keep her lungs clear and her body functioning at its highest capacity.

Despite her (dis)ease, Zetta is a typical three-year-old who loves dinosaurs, playing family, tending to her baby sister, Azalea, riding her scooter, swimming, drawing pictures, and recently, making jokes... sometimes at our expense. 

Last May, Zetta began taking Trikafta, a genetic modulator that helps her body function more normally. This drug has been life-changing for her. She has missed very little school this winter due to illness!

The CF foundation is committed to developing new drugs, and ultimately to finding a cure for ALL CF fighters; that is why we continue to raise money each year. 

We formed this team-A to Zetta-for her. Our wish is for our daughter to live a long, full life (hence, A to Z). That wish is achievable only because of medical advances through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

You can help in two ways:

1) Donate to us as Team Members: Jay and Kelley Kirkland (above). All proceeds go directly to the CF foundation for research; every dollar counts! 

2) Join our team! If you wish to join us on May 18TH at the Suwanee Town Center for the Atlanta Great Strides Walk, we'd love to have you by our side! You can click "Join our Team" below and fundraise in your own circles! All proceeds go directly to the CF foundation for research; every dollar counts!

We stride so Zetta can can reach her fullest potential. Let's get this special girl from A to Z.

In Fighting Spirit,  

Jay and Kelley Kirkland 

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What is CF? 

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes long-lasting lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.

More than 30,000 children and adults in the United States have CF (70,000 worldwide) and CF affects people of every racial and ethnic group.

In people with CF, mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause the CFTR protein to become dysfunctional. When the protein is not working correctly, it’s unable to help move chloride -- a component of salt -- to the cell surface. Without the chloride to attract water to the cell surface, the mucus in various organs becomes thick and sticky.

In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps germs, like bacteria, leading to infections, inflammation, respiratory failure, and other complications. For this reason, avoiding germs is a top concern for people with CF.

In the pancreas, the buildup of mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that help the body absorb food and key nutrients, resulting in malnutrition and poor growth. In the liver, the thick mucus can block the bile duct, causing liver disease. In men, CF can affect their ability to have children.

Today, because of improved medical treatments and care, more than half of people with CF are age 18 or older. Many people with CF can expect to live healthy, fulfilling lives into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

(Information copied from the CFF website)