Why I Ride: A Personal Mission to Change CF Futures

I joined this charity bike ride for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) years ago—initially as a challenge, then as a cause. It started simply: a few friends on bikes, pedaling miles and hoping to make a small difference. But something unexpected happened: as the miles added up, so did the stories. I met families who lived each day hoping for a breakthrough. I met researchers passionately chasing answers. And I saw firsthand how every dollar raised directly for Dr. Freedman impacted real people, real families, in profound ways.

That’s when I realized I wasn’t just riding to raise funds—I was riding because this fight had become personal. I've seen how CF affects families, watched how treatments evolve, and now I know we’re at a turning point. Recent advances have brought hope, but aging CF patients now face new and complex health issues—including higher cancer risks—that urgently need attention.

I ride because I believe no parent, sibling, or friend should have to watch their loved ones face those battles alone. I ride because every dollar I raise goes directly to research at Dr. Freedman’s lab, rapidly pushing discoveries that will change lives. And I ride because I’ve learned that real progress doesn’t happen by waiting—it happens when we come together, step up, and take action.

This year, I'm healing from a broken finger that's made it challenging to ride my bike. My hope is to fully recover in time to ride alongside this incredible team, but no matter what happens, I'll be there on event day—cheering, supporting, and doing everything I can off the bike to make sure this event is a success. This cause is deeply personal and important to me, and a little injury won't stop me from helping change the future for CF patients.

Thank you for supporting my ride. With your help, we're giving families facing CF more than hope—we’re giving them a future.