Matt Mouw

***2024 Update***

Micah goes about his day being as active as an 8-year-old boy, almost 9, can be.  Not much will slow him down.  Unfortunately, his battle with CF does just that.   He still does treatments 2 times per day.  When he sick or battling a little bug, he can do 3-4 treatments per day.  Each treatment consists of 30 minutes shaking in his vest while inhaling a series of nebulized medicine.  This helps clear sticky mucus and keeps his airways clear. He is approaching 3,000 hours of treatment time in his vest.  In addition to treatments he swallows 40-50 pills everyday!!  Lucky for us he has been able to swallow pills from a very young age.  Micah still loves Mario and Luigi. During Easter break from school, we went to Super Nintendo World and Universal Studios in LA.  While in California we also made it to the San Diego Zoo and Legoland. This was made possible for Micah by Make-a-Wish.  We had an absolute blast! It was a week to remember. Micah continues to enjoy school but is looking forward to summer break! Thank you to everyone for supporting Team Micah.  Together, Micah's Fighters has raised $33,226 since 2016!!!  We need your help as the battle is not done.  We need a cure!!! 

***Our Story***

June 28th, 2015, we were blessed with our sweet baby, Micah. He was a surprise being born one month premature. After 12 days in the NICU we were packing our bags and excited to bring our precious little man home. Little did we know.... devastating news was about come.

The NICU Dr. came into the room to go over the pre-screening test results and by his body language we could tell something wasn't right. When he said Micah's test results for Cystic Fibrosis came back positive, we went numb. We did not know what Cystic Fibrosis was and how it was going to change our lives, especially Micah's life. The Dr. explained that Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic condition that causes severe damage to the respiratory and digestive systems. This damage often results from a buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the organs. The moment when you learn your new bundle of joy has a potentially deadly disease is an unexplainable feeling.

We were sent to Sanford Children's Hospital to meet with the CF Team. The first visit was very informative but also very overwhelming. This would be the first of many visits to the hospital, both scheduled and some unscheduled. Micah was hospitalized three times in the first 18 months of his life. Micah's daily routine to treat the disease is a busy one. Micah receives 4-8 nebulizer treatments and chest physical therapy twice a day for 30 minutes to help loosen up the thick mucus in his lungs. He also takes enzymes every time he eats to help absorb the nutrients from his food due to his pancreas not working. This can be up to 25 pills a day! By the age of 2 he could swallow 5 pills at one time! He will be on a special high calorie diet his whole life. He takes many more medications as part of his daily routine.

Micah is a very happy boy despite his many challenges. He, like every other kid, loves to play games on his IPAD. It's a great way to make treatment time a little more enjoyable! He also loves riding bike, playing basketball and swimming in the pool.

As horrible as CF is, we have learned that research has come a long way in a short period of time. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a huge reason there is amazing new treatments that have added years to the lives of those with CF. There is no cure yet and that is why we walk!!! Don't forget to mark your calender and join Team Micah!! Please consider making a donation to our team, every bit helps!!

We can help keep the FIGHT FOR A CURE going with your donations and support! Please help us reach our goal for our sweet Micah and all those with CF!!

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. We walk for them and hope you will support us in our 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, We are helping add tomorrows to the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis. Will you join us? Support us by making a donation to our 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 us!

Help us reach our 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.