31 Days of CF: One Day We Will Find a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis

Photo courtesy of KC White

Day 18 of 31

This is KC White’s story:

I know I am alive today because of the generosity of others. For this reason, I am so grateful to every person who has donated their time and resources to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF).

When I was diagnosed in the early 1980s, CF was a disease of little hope; the CFTR gene that causes it had yet to be discovered, and many people with CF did not live into adulthood. Living with CF has been a long journey with many ups and downs.

CF has taught me to cherish the good days and turn to hope on the hard days. Because of advances in research during my lifetime, I am now a wife, mom, graduate student, and coach, and am about to embark on a new adventure as chair of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s board of trustees.

While so much progress has been made in terms of research and treatment, there is more to do to get closer to a cure for cystic fibrosis. I am grateful every day for this community. I have never met a more supportive, compassionate, and inspiring group of people. I am more motivated than ever to find the answers for every person with CF.

Note: KC White was unanimously elected by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s trustees in February to serve as the board chair. She is the first person with CF in the foundation’s history to serve in this position.

Cystic Fibrosis News Today’s 31 Days of CF campaign will publish one story per day for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this, using the hashtag #31DaysofCF, or read the full series.