Katie’s Comrades Walk for Cystic Fibrosis

It’s that time of year again!

For those of you who are new, welcome! I have created a team, Kaitie’ s Comrades, that walks each year in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides event to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a life threatening, genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. Much progress has been made toward finding a cure for CF, however, the CF Foundation’ s work is far from over, as precious young lives continue to be lost to this disease every day. Last year, Kaitie’ s Comrades raised well over $5,000. I am pleased to announce that as a result of such funding, the FDA just approved(2-22-10) a new inhaled antibiotic for the treatment of lung infections suffered only by CF patients. I hope its better than the last drug I used, TOBI, which makes you lose your voice and costs $5,000/month. As mentioned, progress is being made, but we are still far from a cure.

Kaitie’s Comrades will be walking again this year on May 16, 2010 in Cadman Plaza, downtown Brooklyn, with a large group of family and friends. Please feel free to become a “Comrade” and walk with us. Collectively, we would like to raise more than $5,000, surpassing last year’s amount for vital CF research. Any donation is appreciated as it will extend many precious lives, including my own. Imagine the world without Kaitie? (HAHA ) Please remember that any contribution is 100 % tax deductible.

In order to make a donation, or become a “Comrade” and walk with our team, please click on the link below and follow the instructions. Your contribution will enable the CF Foundation to take full advantage of the tremendous opportunities in CF research that are now on the horizon. The path to finding a cure for CF is paved with numerous research opportunities – any of which could have a profound impact on my life and the lives of others with CF. However, the only thing standing in the way of a cure is the money needed to fund this life-saving research.

For returning “Comrades”, you all know what to do… so now let’s do it. LET THE FUNDRAISING BEGIN!

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=6721&idUser=253563

A quick update on my condition – from last year’ s walk (5/09) to the present, I was hospitalized only 3 times (quite an improvement from the year before), each time for a week to ten days. Two out of those 3 admissions were to the ICU, the last one for respiratory failure in which now I am required to use a non invasive ventilator at night to help keep my oxygen levels up and to prevent my airways from collapsing. I am pleased to say I am doing very well now.

Thank you for your support in increasing the quality of life and future of Kaitie and her Comrades,

Kaitie Nelson
Kaitie’s Comrades