I have lived 41 years with Cystic Fibrosis and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the people in my life who has supported me and taught me how precious life is. It is these people who have taught me never to give up and have supported the notion that it doesn’t matter how long you live as long as you live it to the fullest.

I was born in 1970 and, even though doctors have said I wouldn’t live into the teens, it is support and research that has given me a long and productive life. As we all know though, nothing comes free and costs money. It is fundraisers like Haley’s Team that helps pay the cost of research but Haley’s Team would not be possible if it wasn’t for people, like Rich, who has unselfishly dedicated their time to help find treatments to fight this deadly disease that has taken the lives of many people.

I am not that religious but I do have beliefs and I do believe in god and angels. The angels in my life are the people in it. I have known Rich my whole life and, even though he knew I was sick, he has always been there for me and made sure I was living life to the fullest. He never looked at my illness but has always looked at me as a person. He has never let me give up on myself when, at times, I felt life was giving up on me. It is that attitude that has given me the strength to face this disease head on.

I would like to personally thank everyone who participates in this run and every run Haley’s Team is part of. Because of your unselfishness, companies are able to create better treatments to help fight Cystic Fibrosis and, hopefully one day, find a cure. For us to fight the good fight, we need people like you to help us understand that we shouldn’t give up and teach us that anything is possible like Rich has taught me. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say I appreciate all that you have done and thank you all!

By: Kirk C. Hill