My team
I Run to Cure CF!
My name is Courtney and I am a 33 year old native to the Pittsburgh area. I’m running in the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay Race next May in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. There are close to 40,000 children and adults living with cystic fibrosis in the United States (and an estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with CF across 94 countries), and CF can affect people of every racial and ethnic group.
As someone who has the 1 out of the 2 genetic mutations for cystic fibrosis, my life could have looked very different than it currently does. Folks who only have 1 genetic copy of the CFTR gene are only carriers for the disease, and it’s extremely rare for them to have cystic fibrosis. Being a carrier and having a child means my child could also be a carrier one day and it could impact her and her decision to have children should she have a partner who bears this same genetic mutation. Therefore, it is important for me to support a foundation dedicated to researching advances in treatment as well as one day finding a Path to a Cure!
CF is often dedicated before age 2 in children (thanks to a lot of medical advances that have already happened since the 1950s), which can be a harrowing time for parents as it is. To learn your child has a chronic illness and will require lifelong care and treatments (that will be costly) adds another layer of stress and anxiety to parenthood.
I hope you consider making a small donation (every little bit helps) to support this foundation and to show my relay team support as we train for the relay race next year!
For more information on CF and the foundation, check out their website.
Description
Cystic fibrosis is a rare, genetic disease found in about 40,000 people in the U.S. causing persistent lung infections and limiting the ability to breath over time. Those living with this disease are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends, and co-workers --all struggling each day just to breathe and live normal, healthy lives.
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 Pittsburgh Marathon on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, I run to help add tomorrows to the lives of all people living with cystic fibrosis today. Please make a difference and support me by donating to my fundraising campaign today!
Then please consider joining the team! For more information - reach out to Fallon DeRiggi - fderiggi@cff.org
