Why I Fight...Blogger Challenge

Why I Fight for a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis...

When I was born in 1975 the prognosis for Cystic Fibrosis was very bleak.  I was always painfully aware of the current life expectancy and I always had a hard time envisioning life beyond that age. 

Yet, I know that I have shared here before that I feel like one of the "lucky one's".  I have worked hard at staving off CF and for the most part it  has steered clear enough for me to reach milestones that my parents once thought would have been impossible. The current life expectancy is 37.4 years.  I turn 37 next year.  I no longer have trouble imagining a life beyond the life expectancy.  I feel pretty certain that CF won't take me anytime soon. 

So why do I fight for a cure?  I fight for a cure so the next generation of kids with CF can suffer less and live longer.  I fight so new parents of babies with CF don't have to worry about out-living their children.  I fight so this nasty disease can be beaten into submission.  I also fight for all of the amazing men and women I have met with CF who work so very hard every day to stay alive.  I am hopeful that someday in the neat future we will all be able to live without having to work so hard at it...

Please take a look at this video that was put together by my friend, Emily's, family.

Emily's Entourage Video

Then take the challenge below!

Here are your official rules for participation:
1) View Emily's amazing video here, then consider making a donation of your own or "liking" her page on FB (neither is required, but both are encouraged!).

2) Create your own blog post, FB status update, or other form of social networking tool (letter, email, whatever). In the body of the message, place a small paragraph of why YOU fight for a cure for cystic fibrosis and why this cause matters to YOU. This can be your CF story, your wish for the holidays, your version of community -- whatever.

3) Link to Emily's Entourage Website and encourage your own readers to take up the challenge.

4) Comment on Piper's blog here with a link to your blog a message about how you shared this vision for an automatic entry into a drawing for a very special CF/transplant-awareness prize package, including gifts from iheartguts.com, apparel, and other fun goodies!

5) Re-post these rules on your own page.