My Xtreme Hike Story

Xtreme Hike is a powerful and unique event that empowers participants to take the search for the cure to new heights. Cystic fibrosis is a rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that affects every organ in the body and makes breathing difficult. Some people with the disease say it’s like breathing through a narrow straw. In people with CF, a defective gene causes a thick buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria, leading to life-threatening lung infections. Sixty years ago, most children did not live long enough to attend elementary school, but thanks to Foundation-based research and care, the median survival age of people with CF is now about 56. 

I am walking to support a cure for those affected, but especially for my niece!  Looking at her you would see an active, funny, precocious (with emphasis)  10 year old. What you don't see is the constant worry and surveillance to keep her healthy. The 45 minutes to an hour that she spends every morning and evening doing breathing treatments and chest physiotherapy to keep her lungs clear. The average of 20 pills/day she takes to help her absorb the food she eats. The questions she asks about why she has to do these things when other children don't Why she needs to have blood work and chest x-rays every year. The 1-2 hour doctor appointments 4x/year to go over every aspect of her health to make sure she stays healthy. The extra steps my sister and brother-in-law take to make sure that she can participate in school and activities without too much of an impact on her health.  

While there has been significant progress in treating this disease, there is still no cure and too many lives are cut far too short. By participating in the CF Foundation’s Xtreme Hike, I am stepping up and helping add tomorrows to the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis. Will you join me? Support me by making a donation to my Xtreme Hike fundraising campaign today!

We are happy to report through the progress Norah's life expectancy (as someone with CF) has gone from 37 yrs old to 53 yrs old just in her short 10 yrs! We'd like everyone with CF to see their life expectancy increase! 

Please support me! 

Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating to my Xtreme Hike fundraising campaign. Your gift will help add tomorrows to the lives of people with CF.