"I try to reassure everyone who has been affected by this disease that CF isn't the end of the world if you don't want it to be."
The experience of living with cystic fibrosis is markedly different today than it was decades ago. Thanks to the discovery of the CF gene, the availability of effective drug therapies and advances in technology, the 30,000 Americans who deal with the disease day in and day out are living longer and fuller lives. In a word, they are thriving.
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  • Shelly Maguire
    01/04/2013
    Shelly Maguire is in her 50s, living, breathing, and succeeding with cystic fibrosis. While she had a rocky start with her disease, she is now medically compliant and extremely active in fighting CF.
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  • Richie Keane
    10/02/2012
    Richie Keane is in his 50s, living, breathing, and succeeding because of his positive outlook on life. He is, of course, proud of the way he has handled his health struggles, but is even more proud of his family and the two nieces he helped raise.
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  • Phil Wenrich
    01/17/2012
    "I have cystic fibrosis, and, while I try to remain medically and physically compliant, I will always live my life doing the things that matter most – loving my daughters and riding motorcycles, feeling freedom."
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  • Valerie Batz
    06/01/2011
    “Life after a bilateral lung transplant has truly been a blessing. There is no coughing, and I feel like my lungs are two brand new beautiful pink balloons, as opposed to the old smashed ones I used to have.”
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  • Kay W.
    05/05/2011
    “I am very thankful that growing up I never knew the life expectancy of having CF, because I never had a number in my head to hold me back from what I wanted to do.”
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  • Jerry Cahill
    09/01/2010
    "My life is not about CF."
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  • Dan Palumbo
    08/01/2010
    "Tell your story and get the word out."
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