Carmella Zeno

Event: West Suburban

| Team: Drews Crew of Chicagoland

Carmella's Fundraising Goal: $1,000.00

| Amount Raised: $3,520.81

100%

My Great Strides Story

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Drew and Family

Rich’s Grandson Drew tells his story:

Hi, I am 16 years old, and I have cystic fibrosis. I was diagnosed when I was 10 days old with a severe genotypetype of CF. I have been working hard every day of my life to slow the progression of my disease. Thankfully, all the medications and the therapy I do keep my lung disease under control. Unfortunately, there are no proven medications to treat the other medical problems I have. I have severe sinus disease. I have had four sinus surgeries to keep them as clear as possible, while I wait to have the next one. Just this past year, I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease. I take a medication twice a day to hopefully clear my liver ducts and prevent more cirhosis. I will eventually need a liver transplant, as I suffer from portal hypertension and an enlarged spleen. The worst part of my CF Liver Disease, is that I cannot play contact sports or exercise too hard. I do play baseball, and I wear a spleen protector just in case, because I am at high risk for bleeding internally. Living with Cystic Fibrosis is not easy, but I live a very happy life! I have the best family and friends, and they are always there to support me when I need it.

Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive disease, so the older I get, the sicker I get, and I need a cure as soon as possible! Researchers have been working hard to find drugs to work in the cells of our bodies to combat the problem where it occurs. Some people with CF are already using drugs that are enabling them to live normal healthy lives! This is so exciting! I am so close to my miracle drug! There is a clinical trial in stage three development right now, that is targeted for people like me. By the beginning of next year, I may have access to the drug! I need your help to get my drug as soon as possible! The trials cost money, and the drug development is very expensive. We have raised a lot of money over the past 12 years, but our work is not done. There are still so many people who suffer like me. We cannot rest until EVERYONE has a CURE! If you can donate to my team I would really love that!

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 striding until all those with cystic fibrosis have a cure. Will you join me? Please consider donating to my Great Strides fundraising campaign today!

Please support me!

We are at a pivotal moment in the history of cystic fibrosis and your support matters. Your gift will help add tomorrows to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis by supporting groundbreaking research and medical progress towards a cure. Please help me reach my fundraising goal!

Achievements

T-Shirt

Raised the amount of money defined for this milestone

Personal Progress:

of Goal

$3,520 Raised

$1,000.00

Fundraising Honor Roll

The Aspen Lane Wine Company

Carmella Zeno

$1,300

Carmella A Zeno

$50

IMPORTANT NOTE ON ATTENDANCE AT FOUNDATION EVENTS:

Updated June 15, 2022. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 the Foundation is taking steps to host safe events for our community. Please be advised that events may be subject to change at any time based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.

To minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection, we ask that attendees at CF Foundation events follow these steps:

Where mandated, practice physical distancing and maintain at least a safe 6-foot distance from persons outside of their household.
Face masks are encouraged and should be worn in accordance with local guidelines. (Note, children under two years of age should not wear masks due to safety concerns and therefore should only attend outdoor CF Foundation events where they are able to distance and stay within their family group.) NOTE: For events hosted by the CF Foundation, masks will be made available on-site, when possible.
Follow basic infection, prevention and control practices by regularly washing hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand gel, and by covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your inner elbow.
Persons with CF should consult their physician before participation in any in-person event as they may be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
For indoor events, it is CFF policy to invite only one person with CF to be in-person at the event at a time. For outdoor events, people with CF should maintain a safe 6-foot distance from persons outside of their household at all times.

FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS:

For the health and well-being of the CF community, we strongly encourage that participants be fully vaccinated and have received the CDC recommended booster shot when joining us in-person for the event.
Certain CF Foundation events may require vaccination to attend.
We are counting on the fact that you appreciate the potential consequences of exposing members of the CF community to COVID-19 and will not attend an event if you test positive, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19.
We cannot guarantee that all people present at the event, including participants, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, or others, have been fully vaccinated.

Drew and Family

Drew

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Carmella Zeno

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IMPORTANT NOTE ON ATTENDANCE AT FOUNDATION EVENTS:

FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS:

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