A Mother’s Worry
SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
“I Will Do Whatever It Takes to Help My Daughter. Want to Know More?”
Every morning, as I enjoy a walk with my dog or explore a new creative project with my Cricut machine, I’m reminded of a journey. One that started 17 years ago when my youngest, Rianna, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Becoming a mother changes you. When Rianna was diagnosed, it felt like a whirlwind. We were thrust into a world of treatments and routines, where even the joy of making her a birthday cake carried an underlying weight. Yet, amid these challenges, a motto formed in my heart: CF will not define our lives.
The September Challenge is close to my heart because it aims for a future where no family lives in the shadow of this disease. If you can help meet the urgent goal before the deadline, together we will be raising enough money to fund a research lab until the end of the year! Please, lend your support.
Rianna’s resilience shines brightly. Despite CF, she has earned a black belt, swam lap after lap, and now she’s off to university. Yet, the shadow of CF is never truly gone. We celebrated when Trikafta became available, watching Rianna’s health improve.
But as she steps into the next phase of her life, my worry lingers: Will she keep up with her treatments? Will they keep working? Is there a better breakthrough on the horizon that can help her even more?
Your support means more than just funding. It’s hope. It’s the advancement of treatments ensuring that all Canadians living with CF get a fighting chance. While Trikafta has changed many lives, the journey isn’t over. Our goal is to ensure no one gets left behind.
I once participated in a review panel for CF research. My initial hesitation? I wasn’t a scientist. But I quickly saw the value of lived experience. I began to realize that even though my child is on Trikafta, many others can’t access this treatment, and it also doesn’t help everybody. This breaks my heart. Today, I ask you to trust in the power of your support. With your help, research can progress, ensuring every person with CF benefits.
We’ve come so far in these 17 years. Once, CF was a childhood disease. Today, more adults live with CF than ever, thanks to relentless research. But this is only possible with your help. Join our family in making CF stand for “Cure Found.”
Help us continue to transform lives. Embrace this September Challenge, not just for Rianna, but for countless souls dreaming of a world without CF tomorrow.
Lina Bhardwaj