My sister and I grew up with Samantha and Libby . They are sisters who were born with Cystic Fibrosis, a deadly genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestion of 30,000 children and young adults around the world. At that time, their life expectancy was their teens. They take up to 20 pills per day to help digest their food, and spend at least two hours per day doing breathing treatments to help decongest their lungs. They are still hospitalized intermittently to improve their health when it takes a downward turn. Their parents had hopes they’d live long enough to get married and even possibly…have children.
Times have changed. Medication and treatment for CF has improved drastically. Now, the life expectancy is the mid-30s.
Samantha is 31.
Libby is 28.
And….guess what!!! Samantha is married to Christian! Libby is married to Will!!!
And…guess what, AGAIN!!!
Samantha gave birth to healthy twins last June!
And Libby and Will adopted a baby boy 5 weeks ago!!
So far, their dreams and their parents dreams for them have been realized.
Now, there’s only one left. And it’s a big one.
The Animal Whisperer and I are passionate about helping to make sure Samantha grows old with Christian to raise their twins, Tommy and Luci. We are passionate about helping to make sure Libby grows old with Will to raise their newborn son, Liam.
But, there is still a chance they won’t.
The final dream has to be realized: Finding a cure for CF.
The history of progress in working toward a cure for CF is exceptional…but we’re not there yet. Doctors and scientists have found the gene that causes CF, they’ve developed life extending drug therapies and treatments, but you’ll notice, despite huge advances, there is nothing there that says “CURED.” We need your donations.
Last year, we could report that a new medication was significantly prolonging the lives of a small percentage of people with a specific kind of CF. This year, there’s another medication which may drastically change the lives of a much larger percentage of people with CF. The latest progress in treatment may help Samantha and Libby directly.
Tommy and Luci need their mom at their college graduations, they need her at their weddings. They need her to advise them when they have their own kids.
And, they shouldn’t have to take care of her until she’s at least 90. (check out the socks…adorable!!)
Here’s how you can help:
1. Sign up for The Goat Cheese Lady team here. Start raising money now! And, meet us at the Great Strides walk at America The Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs on May 18, 2013 ! Registration starts at 8am, the walk starts at 9am.
2. If you don’t live in or near Colorado Springs, you can click here then click “Make A Donation” and donate to The Goat Cheese Lady team. Whatever amount you can donate will help us reach the $6,000 goal!!!
Last year, we raised $5,500.
WITH YOUR HELP, THIS YEAR we can reach our goal of $6,000!!!
Liam needs his mommy to hold and cuddle and teach him through all the stages of his life. He needs her to give him the life experiences that only she will be able to give him.
So, we have to make sure she lives.
Please help Luci, Tommy and Liam have a full life with their beautiful, energetic, full of life and creativity mothers.
Please join our team and walk with us or donate. Whatever you can do will help find a cure!!!
– The Goat Cheese Lady and The Team
Little Luci checking out Little Liam. I just couldn’t resist showing you this picture.
Lindsay,
I sat next to Libby in a class in high school, and I remember when she was on Rosie O’donnell. What a great gal! I honestly haven’t talked to her since high school… but I think of her occasionally. I placed a small donation. Thank you for what you are doing. 🙂 ~Linnea
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**Alas de Yoga ~~** *Free Yoga Classes in Spanish at Sister Mary Lucy in NE Denver every Monday and Friday at 10:00am. 3707 Humboldt Street, Denver CO 80205. Find us on facebook for a link to the calendar!
Yep! Libby’s an amazing person! It’s great you know her! Lindsey