Hayley Lee

My Great Strides Story

On August 14, 2022 Austin and I welcomed our second child, Aspyn. Aspyn was premie, born at 34 weeks 3 days. A few days prior to her arrival, I went to our local emergency room for a kidney stone. During my CT scan, they found a large mass on Aspyn's stomach. We were sent to Ann Arbor to meet with a high risk doctor, who confirmed the mass on her stomach was from a blockage in her bowels. She was going to require surgery upon delivery, so we decided it would best for me to be induced at 38 weeks in Ann Arbor. The Sunday after meeting with the team in Ann Arbor and scheduling induction, our girl decided she was NOT waiting any longer to see the world. She broke my water very early in the morning; there was no way I could make it to Ann Arbor. We went to our local hospital and when we arrived, we discovered she was under distress so she was delivered Emergency C-section in Alpena MI. From there she was transferred by life flight to Mott's children's hospital to undergo surgery. During her 79 days in the hospital, Aspyn underwent 2 GI surgeries, was diagnosed with CF, extreme pancreatic insufficiency, and short gut as a result of her surgeries. She was started on an intense breathing treatment regime, CREON for her pancreatic insufficiency and a multi vitamin. Since being released home, Aspyn has been able to come off of her breathing treatments and is making HUGE progress! Reaching all of her developmental goals and showing us just how strong she really is! Aspyn is one of about 40,000 people in the United States that have cystic fibrosis. The CF foundation has made lots of advancements in improving the quality of life for CF patients. They work everyday to get closer to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. By supporting Aspyn and our fundraising goal, you will help make this dream a reality!

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis: a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and friends who face the sobering prospect of a shortened lifespan. I walk for them. 

Working alongside the CF community, the CF Foundation has fostered the development of more than a dozen CF treatments and helped add decades of life for people with CF. Yet, many people with CF do not benefit from existing therapies. Our vision is a cure for every person with cystic fibrosis – a life free from the burden of this disease – and we will not leave anyone behind.

You can support me!

By supporting my fundraising goal, you have an opportunity in your lifetime to be part of ending this disease. Please consider joining us and help make medical history.