Help Chris raise money

Hi everyone! I'm excited to share that I will be joining Chris's Fighters as a runner this year! For those unfamilar with my story, I ran the Pittsburgh half marathon in 2013 and 2014. I also have Cystic Fibrosis and starting in 2015, my health began to take a pretty drastic turn. Within a year, I went from being able to run fairly well to struggling to climb a flight of stairs. It was pretty clear at that point that I wouldn't be running again anytime soon. My family, led by my cousin Tara, started the Chris's Fighters relay team and continued to raise money for the CF Foundation in my absence. 

By 2019 into 2020, CF had really beaten me down both mentally and physically. I was completely dependent on supplemental oxygen and rarely had the energy or ability to do anything I enjoyed. In August of 2020, I was given a second chance after receiving a double lung transplant. I spent most of my first couple years after transplant focused on recovery, returning to work, and gaining back all of the strength I had lost from being sick for the previous 5 years. I had the eventual goal of running again in the back of my mind but any attempt that I made was so hard that it discouraged me from pushing it further. 

A few months ago, I felt like I was in a good place to give running one more good, honest effort. The first few weeks were...miserable. But I could see myself making progress which was motivating me to continue. I still have a LONG way to go if I hope to get back to what I was once capable of, but for now I believe I'll be able to (slowly and painfully) join our relay team. I can't thank everyone enough who has supported Chris's Fighters throughout the last 10 years. Your donations make it possible for CF patients to continue to fight this horrible disease and I can't understate how much strength and motivation I've pulled from all of you. 

If you happen to see me out there on race day, be sure to throw some encouragement my way-- I'll desperately need it!