My Xtreme Hike Story

My Hike Story

In November 2024, I will celebrate my 50th birthday—a milestone that, at many times in my life, I wasn't sure I would reach. Diagnosed with CF at the age of 6 months, I entered a world where the average life expectancy for someone with CF was a short 14 years. Life for those of us with CF is not easy, marked by countless treatments, medical appointments, uncertainty, and the constant battle against the symptoms that affect every part of our lives.

Over the years, we've witnessed remarkable progress, with new medications and therapies extending the lives of those with CF. Today, for individuals born after 2021, there's hope that half of CF patients will live to be 65 or older—a stark contrast to the grim statistics of the past.

But our work is far from over. While the advancements made by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation have been extraordinary, they are not a cure, and not everyone can benefit from them. As individuals with CF live longer than ever before, the complexity of the disease presents new challenges, leading to serious health issues that demand our attention and action.

In the past 6 years following the development of a new medication, rather than the slow steady decline in my health, my health has improved! I am in better physical shape now than ever before and hope to see that continue.

That's why I'm reaching out to you today. As I approach this significant milestone, I'm not just celebrating another year of life; I'm reaffirming my commitment to the fight against CF and honoring the memory of all the CF friends I have lost over the years.

My friends and I will be training to participate in the CFF Extreme Hike this September, a difficult 23.8-mile hike in Davis, WV. I know it will be a difficult hike for me, something I never would have considered even trying a few years ago.

With your support, we can continue the vital work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, driving research, advocating for access to treatments, and a future where CF no longer dictates the lives of those affected by it.

So, as I prepare to blow out the candles on my 50th birthday cake, will you support me in a different kind of celebration? One that honors the progress we've made, acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, and reaffirms our  determination to make a difference.

Thank you for your continued support, your unwavering friendship, and your commitment to the CF community. With your help, we can turn milestones into moments of hope and possibility.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Megan

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.