I walk for my son and my sister

I live in New Brunswick with my husband Jonathan, our 4-year-old son Zachary, two cats and a dog. We love our country life and spend a lot of time as a family having bonfires, camping and exploring the countryside on our wheeler. 

Growing up, I watched my sister Mandy struggle with the burden of CF, so when Zach was a newborn and we got a call from Maritime Genetics, I froze. 

I knew in my gut what I would hear on the other end. They explained that Zach's screening had shown that CF was the likely diagnosis. I was holding Zach and Jonathan was holding me while we cried on the couch listening to the game plan. My heart dropped into my stomach. 

But with the support of my sister, the rest of my family and the extraordinary team at IWK Health in Halifax, we have come to feel great optimism.  

Zach is doing well with his daily treatments and enzymes, and we are grateful to have the option of Trikafta should his health change and require it. This easy access to transformational medicine, superb healthcare, ongoing CF research, excellent resources and support is a result of Cystic Fibrosis Canada and its supporters’ good work. 

It’s why our family has participated in the Walk for the last 10 years – we see firsthand the important and life-changing work the event funds. And fundraising with friends and family can be as much fun as it is meaningful. 

My mother remembers the day they announced the discovery of the CF gene, another CF Canada-funded milestone. She cried on the phone to my dad while he was at work. They believed a cure was around the corner. That was 35 years ago, and we are still waiting.  

Every test, every study, every dollar raised, every single step is getting us closer. We can't stop, we have to keep having these discussions and events to raise awareness. We have to keep hoping and believing we will find the cure because one day we will! 

To register for The Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History visit walk.cysticfibrosis.ca