Virtual Run for Cystic Fibrosis

Virtual Run for Cystic Fibrosis

Please join us in showing thanks to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, for 65 years of serving the CF Community and improving the quality of life for people with CF.  When the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was established in 1955, people born with the disease weren't expected to live to attend elementary school. Today, because of their efforts, people with CF are living into their 30s, 40s, and well beyond. 

Since 1955, the CF Foundation has added decades to the lives of people with the disease. These gains are the direct result of advances in treatment and care made possible through their innovative business model, called venture philanthropy. Virtually every approved CF drug available today was made possible with CF Foundation support.

Although there has been various drugs that help treat the underlying cause of CF, there are still patients who do not qualify for any of these medications and these drugs are still not a cure. The results of people taking the newest drug approved by the FDA,  Trikafta, has been nothing short of miracle, for the people that qualify, which is around 90% of the CF population. This leaves a large number of people who don't have any medications available for their specific genetic mutations, so we can't stop until there is a treatment or a cure for everyone with CF.

With all the races being cancelled and most of us being stuck at home, this virtual race is a good way to stay motivated, while running for an organization that truly is adding years to the lives of people with CF (check out the "CF Foundation Milestones" section to see exactly how impactful the Foundation has been).  We are closer to a cure, now more than ever, so help us get there by running with us!

How it all works:

To take part in our 2020 Virtual Race for Cystic Fibrosis, all you need to do is click the "Register" button, at the top of the page, or the "Buy Tickets" button, on the right hand side of the page, to get signed up. Then you would run either a 5K, 6.5 Miles, a Half Marathon or whatever distance you choose, then track or record your run and send in your results to csalyer@cff.org and I will post your results to this web page, under the appropriate tab. Once the race has concluded, on August 1st, medals will begin to go out and final results will be posted.

If you have Facebook, once you register, you will be sent an invite to join the private group, where participants can post pictures, interact, and encourage others in various places. Medals will be sent out once the race period has closed. The top male and female from each distance will receive some extra CF Foundation swag!

My Why:

I started running about a year after Beckett was born, for numerous reasons, but one of the initial ones being that I was looking for a way to release all the stress, frustration, and fear that accompanies your only-child being diagnosed with something like cystic fibrosis. Since then, running has evolved into something much bigger, something that is crucial for my mental, physical and spiritual health, while allowing me to connect with other like-minded people who are usually running for something bigger than themselves. 

Beckett was diagnosed with CF shortly after birth, through the newborn screening process, but he turned 4 years old on March 11th this year and we have been blessed with good health and no major issues to this point in his journey. He has to take 2 breathing treatments, along with 2 airway clearance vest treatments every day, which takes a minimum of 2-hours. We see his CF Care Team at least 4 times a year, with each yearly-visit involving numerous tests, labs, and x-rays. CF doesn't slow him down at all, nor does it hold him back in any way and we owe a lot of that to the work that the CF Foundation has done. Although a cure is not something that has been found yet, we are now closer than ever, due to the groundwork of the CF Foundation, so please join us and help us make CF stand for Cure Found.

Event Information:

Virtual Race Day:   Any day and anytime, up until August 1st
Location:   Wherever you would like! (Please keep social distancing and other CDC guidelines in mind)
Registration Fee:   $35
Distances:    5K  | 6.5 Miler  |  Half Marathon or farther!