Bridget Chamberas

Dear Family and Friends,

If it's spring, it's Great Strides! That means it's time to participate in the CF Foundation's annual fundraiser and make a donation to Team Thomas! 

Thanks to scientific research and modern medicine, Thomas continues to thrive with cystic fibrosis. As you may recall, Thomas started taking the breakthrough drug, Trikafta, a few years ago. While this is not a cure for CF, it is the next best thing. In a nutshell, Trikafta "corrects" the CFTR protein that creates CF. As a result, the sticky mucus that typically develops in a person with CF does not, or at least not as much of it.

The effects of Trikafta on Thomas - and our family as a whole - have been remarkable. The fundraising we have been doing for the last 18 years has helped contribute to this outcome. Thanks to you, Thomas is looking ahead to his future and beginning to look at colleges. For this, I give my heartfelt thanks to you.

My only regret is that Trikafta does not treat all patients with CF. At the most recent CFF Annual Dinner, I was sitting next to an older couple who have a 30-year-old son with CF. My heart went out to them as they told me stories of his numerous hospitalizations and how he is no longer able to work. For families like this, I ask for your support in this year's Great Strides. 

How can you participate? Please consider one or more of the following: 

1. You can make a donation to my Great Strides campaign. Great Strides is the CF Foundation's annual fundraising event. Every dollar raised is 100% tax deductible and goes directly toward funding research (not administrative costs). Remember, we are still working for a cure!

2. While I will be walking in person along the Charles River in beautiful Boston, you can be a "virtual walker" with me from wherever you are. Just join my team! 

3. If #1 or #2 is not possible, you can remember Thomas, and all those living with CF, in a special way on May 21. It can be a powerful experience knowing you are held in the thoughts and prayers of others. These have sustained our family during challenging times.

Thank you so much for considering how you will participate in the 2023 Great Strides. 

My love and gratitude always,

Bridget