In 2019, my brother Daniel Quesada lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis — a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. He was 18. This team continues to run, walk and raise support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in his memory.
After just over 17 years fighting for ever breath and living life to the fullest despite the challenges he faces battling this life-threatening disease, in the spring of 2019 Daniel and our mom relocated to North Carolina as he was listed for a double lung transplant at the University of North Carolina. He remained stable and gaining weight steadily until he developed pneumonia and was hospitalized in August. After a grueling 30 days in the ICU, Danny lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis on September 25th.
The pain of losing Daniel can't be put into words, but our family continues the fight we started together to find an end to this horrific disease. We will continue to do this the same way Danny lived his life, FULL THROTTLE!
This year’s walk will take place Saturday, June 3 on the National Mall.
We are asking everyone to join us to walk or run any length they can and donate any amount you can.
The advancements we've seen in Cystic Fibrosis care in the years since we lost Daniel are nothing short of remarkable. The Foundation's research and advocacy have resulted in FDA approval of medications that dramatically stop the advancement of the disease, changes to the lung transplant scoring system to get CF patients matches earlier, and advancements in the study of respiratory infections like the one Danny was fighting. As hopeful as all of this is, it can also be heartbreaking at times imagining what could have been for Danny if these advancements had been made sooner. That is why we keep fighting.
You can visit our website www.runningwithdanny.org to read more about Danny and his life as well as follow us on social media on the Running with Danny pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Our family thanks you for the continued support and generosity you have shown us throughout the years.
- Joanna Rodriguez
PS: Please email any questions to rodriguez.joannam@gmail.com
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IMPORTANT NOTE ON ATTENDANCE AT FOUNDATION EVENTS:
Updated July 5th, 2023
The CF Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of individuals attending Foundation events. Individuals attending CF Foundation events must abide by the Foundation's Event Attendance Policy www.cff.org/attendancepolicy, which includes guidance for event attendees living with cystic fibrosis.