Laps for Cystic Fibrosis

why it's important:

When I was diagnosed, I was a competitive swimmer. I knew I wanted to do something to raise money for CF, so I had the idea to swim laps to raise money. I collected pledges for each lap I swam. My original goal was to raise $3,000 but in my first year, I raised almost $60,000. It was incredible!

I am from Birmingham, and I swam my laps each year in Birmingham for a couple of years. Then, Coach David Marsh, the head swim coach at Auburn University heard about what I was doing. He invited me to come swim my laps with their swim team. This allow us to raise even more money by getting the Greek associations on campus involved. The following year, the Univeristy of Alabama also got involved, so now we host two Laps for CF events annually on each school's campus. With the success of these events, I decided to create my own nonprofit foundation and to host even more events.

the plan of action:

My nonprofit foundation, the Laps for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is dedicated to raising awareness of cystic fibrosis (CF) and providing financial support in all areas of need for CF treatment, research, care, and improved quality of life.

In addition to the swimming events, we also host events like a concert, golf tournament, event at Talladega, and more. Last summer, I started, with the support of BioGuard, a summer swim program called Splash for CF. This program allows people all over to help me raise money for CF.

My priority through Laps for CF is to keep the funds directly influencing the lives of CF families and improving the local care centers that they frequent. The money raised by Laps for CF is given to CF Care Centers at hospitals which helps improve the treatment CF patient get. With improved treatment, all of us can lead healthier lives. We also give money to the CF Foundation which focuses on research. In the last 15 years, there have been so many improvements in research, and there are great things on the horizon as well. Finally, we give to a group called CF Hope for Alabama. This organization provides financial support to families with CF. CF is a very expensive disease, and sometimes it gets hard!

I just turned 16 this year, and I can't beleive in 6 years we have raised over $1 million. It has surpassed what I ever thought was possible, but I definitely am not stopping now. I will keep raising money and keep fighting!

how you can get involved:

Others can help by coming to one of our events if you are in the area. We love to see new faces supporting cystic fibrosis! Check out our website, www.lapsforcf.org to see the full schedule of events.

Also, through our Splash for CF program, everyone across the country has the opportunity to swim laps or jump in the pool to raise money for CF. Visit www.splashforcf.org for more info.

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