Marla Moskowitz-Hesse

 TEAM MAX - Three Walks for 2024

It's that time of year when we are asking for your help in our fundraising for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. 

This year we will be participating in 3 walks.  If you would like to join us in person just reach out directly and let me know which walk you'd like to join

Walk 1 - Lower Hudson Valley - Sunday May 19th - Tarrytown (for our Rockland, Westchester and north Jersey supporters)

Walk 2 - Poughkeepsie - Sunday June 2nd - for our upstate supporters and near Max's school

Walk 3 - NYC - 5 Borough - Wednesday, June 5th - Evening Walk - for anyone who works or lives in NYC and wants to join for after work fun

 You may be asking, why are we still fundraising when we've heard such great stories??  The answer is our job is not done.  Although we have made incredible advances more than 10% of the CF population have no modulators that will work for them.  Even for those who are on modulators, for some it is not a silver bullet but rather an improvement that while we wait and work towards a cure.  Even with modulators, people with CF continue to battle lung infections and other related issues and continue to require numerous daily medications and treatments in order to live their lives. 

As you know, our son Max was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) a few weeks after he was born. Max is now 18 years old and is loving his first year of college at the Culinary Institute of America.  He is an amazing kid with a thoughtful nature, beautiful heart and sweet disposition.  As a college student living on his own, Max has had to take full responsibility for managing his health.  In addition to all the 1st year of college activities he must manage his medications, clean and sterilize his equipment, make sure he finds time to do his treatments morning and night around classes, studying and fun.  

We realize how lucky we are. Because of YOU and the donations that YOU have made to the CF Foundation, there are specialized anitbiotics for Max to take, that specifically attack the bacteria in CF patients. Because of YOU and the donations that YOU have made to the CF Foundation, research is continuing into additional therapies, including gene therapies to finally bring treatments to everyone with CF and hopefully, one day to bring us a cure.

Infection control and antibiotic resistance are 2 of the most important issues facing the CF community and the CF Foundation is committed to address this important issue. For someone like Max who is already facing the reduced effectiveness of antibiotics in his battle against lung infections, this fight is critical, and your donations matter!    In addition, 10% of the population with CF still does not have access to modulators and research must continue to not only find medicine to address the symptoms but ultimately to find the cure!!

There continues to be news about improvements in antibiotics and potential treatment options that create a new world of possibilities for Max and all the other children and adults with CF. For the first time ever there are more people with CF over 18 than under 18. The median life expectancy for someone with CF born today is 53 - already 14 years longer then when Max was born, and life expectancy continues to improve. Medications, Genetic Therapies, and advancements in lung transplants are critical pieces and your support of Team Max is helping to change Max's future and the future of so many others!

This is the 19th year for Team Max and so far we've raised over $300,000 to help find a cure.  We know that times are tough and we appreciate anything you can do to continue to support Max and our family as we keep fighting this battle.

Max, and all the children and adults battling this disease, need your help. Cystic Fibrosis is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Additionally, more than 10 MILLION Americans carry the defective gene that causes CF. 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.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and GREAT STRIDES! We won't stop UNTIL IT'S DONE!!