Teen With Cystic Fibrosis Inspires in OneRepublic’s New “I Lived” Video

2014 has been a year highlighted by a steady stream of compelling stories about young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) bearing witness to how a desire to live life to the fullest and lead an active, healthy lifestyle can overcome the daunting challenges and ominous realities of the disease. Joining inspired stories of 17 year-old Claire Wineland’s launch of the award-winning CF advocacy group Claire’s Place Foundation and the compelling, cross-country trek that CF documentarian Beau Rich shot this summer, is a new music video from OneRepublic that sets the amazing story of 15 year-old Colorado native and Cystic Fibrosis patient Bryan Warnecke to music, bringing to light his remarkable courage and personal drive through the band’s hit song “I Lived” — a track that characterizes the life journey of Warnecke and thousands of other CF patients.

OneRepublic’s video begins with an intimate look into Warnecke’s daily treatment regimen for the disease, and is complemented by interview sequences where he outlines the history of his diagnosis, as well as the challenges and realities he faces both now and in the future. In what is perhaps the most candid moment for Bryan, he speaks directly about the reduced average lifespan that many with the disease face, demonstrating how that reality forms the basis of his motivation to persevere through his symptoms, limitations, and complex treatments in order to lead an active life to the fullest.

OneRepublic singer Ryan Tedder echoes Warnecke’s sentiments in the first verse leading into the song’s chorus when he sings, “And I hope that you don’t suffer / But take the pain / Hope when the moment comes / You’ll say… I did it all / I owned every second / That this world could give / I saw so many places / The things that I did / Yeah, with every broken bone / I swear I lived.”

You can watch the video in full here:

 

For as much as OneRepublic’s star power is bound to supercharge Bryan Warnecke’s advocacy efforts for Cystic Fibrosis, he has already been highly successful in his endeavors to fundraise for continued research and development efforts for next-generation CF therapies. In 2014 alone, Bryan and his cycling teammates have biked 1,200 miles and raised $300,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research. His perseverance and willingness to share his story, together with the talent of a band like OneRepublic, is bound to further energize his fundraising and advocacy successes in the months and years to come.

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