My Xtreme Hike Story

My Hike Story

Once again this fall, I'm hiking 30.1 miles to raise awareness and funds for those living with Cystic Fibrosis and their families.  Hurricane Helene made this impossible on the original date of Oct 12, so I plan to hike somewhere soon in a “Build your own hike” approach.  In the wake of Helene, I encourage you to support recovery efforts in the mountains.  Secondarily, consider helping the CF Foundation continue to do their good work. As I hike,  I'll be thinking about patients, families and caregivers that I have known over the years.

I hike in memory of and in honor of my dad’s best friend’s son who battled CF with everything he had as we both grew up.  I saw the struggles and triumphs for both Michael and his family.  I hike so that children born with CF today can live longer, struggle less and live  fuller lives   

For 10 years I worked for a company that produced several medicines and nutritional products for patients with CF.  I got to know a great deal about the disease, how much treatments have improved thanks to the CF Foundation and how much work is yet to finish.  Until a cure is found!

CF isn't widely recognized and doesn't get the funding of more prevalent diseases.  The foundation is vital in  supporting research, patients and families.  Life expectancy has risen from 29 years in 1974 to 60 years in 2024 thanks in large part to the CFF!!

Cystic fibrosis 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.  

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.