Tera Breeden

I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth in 1982…and on February 10th I turned 41 years old! Living with CF is no easy task as each day is consumed with lots of pills, 5 hours worth of breathing treatments and airway clearance, all simply in an attempt to keep lung infections at bay and to help my digestive system and the rest of my body fight off the increased mucus which is produced due to the faulty CFTR gene in those with CF. I was also diagnosed with CFRD-Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes 5 years ago on January 2017 and now also need to check my blood sugars multiple times throughout the day and give myself insulin shots with each meal and in the evenings. Thankfully I have been able to wear a CGM (continual glucose monitor) that frequently checks my levels without the need to prick my finger as often.

This is just a 'typical' day for me, not to mention the days/weeks when I am battling an infection in my lungs that makes it necessary for me to be on either home IV antibiotics or in the hospital for what us CFers call a 'tune up' simply so we can get back to feeling 'normal' and pray we do not lose much lung function because once airways in the lungs have been destroyed, there is no way of really getting them back. If too much of the lungs becomes damaged from infection, the need for a lung transplant is often a necessity for many with CF in order to continue their fight.

I have been blessed to be on Trikafta since it's FDA approval, the 3rd CF protein modulator that I have been able to be on that have greatly helped me and my health. Thanks to the incredible treatments and medications, doctors, and lots of work, I have been off of IV antibiotics for a year.

Thanks to my doctors suggesting I stop working and go on disability in 2014, I have been able to get all of my treatments done and add in extra exercise and sleep as my full time job. This could not have been done without the help of the wonderful (albeit timely) medications, I would not be where I am today. Without donations from generous donors, the CFF would not receive the funding it needs to develop the medications me and 70,000 others with CF need to live.

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There are approximately 30,000 Americans living with cystic fibrosis. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends and co-workers who struggle every day just to breathe. I walk for them and hope you will support me in my efforts.

Real progress has been made in the search for a cure, but the lives of people with CF are still cut far too short. There still is no cure for this devastating disease. By walking today, I am helping add tomorrows to the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis. Will you join me? Support me by making a donation to my Great Strides fundraising campaign today!

Great Strides is a fun, family-friendly event that raises awareness and support for people with CF and their families.

Please support me!

Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating to my Great Strides fundraising campaign. 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.