My Team CF Story

I am running the Chicago Marathon with Team CF for a second time to support my sister, Katie. For her whole life, Katie has been a fighter against Cystic Fibrosis - both its effects on her own body as well as advocating for effective, efficient treatments for others living with CF. When she was younger, it was assumed that Katie’s life would be constrained and defined by this lung disease. She resolved to not allow CF to limit that which she could attain.

Throughout her childhood and young adulthood, CF had an impact on my sister’s daily routine. Between daily requirements of chest percussion, a nebulizer, and taking enzymes with every meal and snack and various other medications, managing CF was a rigorous task. In addition to the daily efforts to manage, there were periods of time in which she would require hospitalization due to complications related to her CF. Recently, however, due to the effectiveness of new treatment options, my sister’s health and quality of life has greatly improved and hasn’t been as limited by this disease.

CF plays a major role in my sister’s life, there is no questioning that, but she far prefers to be identified by her faith, goals, and interests. Katie was an accomplished track and cross country athlete in middle school and high school. Running served as a way to battle the effects of CF onher life. I am running the Chicago marathon with team CF to help raise money to further fight the effects of CF, so that they might have continued improvements in the quality of their lives through improved therapies. 

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has made a difference in my sister’s life, and the lives of every one of us who knows and loves her. They have made incredible gains in the areas of research and awareness of this disease. Will you join us and help make a difference in the lives of people living with CF? All you need to do to click “Donate Now.”