Kaylin Bendon

My Great Strides Story

There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis. By participating in Great Strides, I am helping to end this disease for thousands of people impacted by CF, including myself.

My name is Kaylin Bendon and I am a 17-year-old girl living with cystic fibrosis. To the many people I spend my time around, my life may appear to be normal. Unfortunately, there are a few things that make my life with CF different from others. Every day I have to wake up early so that I can do my vest and nebulizer treatments, which help me manage my respiratory symptoms. Another thing that helps me maintain a high lung function is being vigilant about infection risks, which means being cautious around people who are or may be sick. My nutritional needs are also different, requiring me to be careful with what I eat to ensure proper digestion. This means that I don’t usually get to eat pizza, cheeseburgers, or a big Chipotle bowl due to a high risk of stomach problems. Unfortunately, I have been hospitalized and had to get surgery due to intestinal issues, which is why it is super important for me to watch what I eat. Despite these challenges, I always strive to live a fulfilling life, adapting my routines to maintain my health and well-being.

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. The symptoms can vary from person to person, and as people with CF live longer than ever before, their disease can become more complicated, leading to serious health issues. Some symptoms include chronic coughing, pancreatic and lung infections, and salty perspiration. 

In the past several years, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has made extraordinary progress — including fostering the development of more than a dozen CF treatments — but these treatments are not a cure, and not everyone can benefit from them. We must keep going.

Your support makes a difference!

By donating to my fundraising goal, you will help advance our mission for a cure for all. Please consider joining us and helping make CF stand for Cure Found. It would mean the world to me and so many others dealing with this condition. Thank you!