Executive Directors Sue, Becky and Julie, with Peter, Founder & Chair

Dear Friends,

Fifteen years ago, I attended a pre-race dinner for Team 65ROSES before the ING Georgia Marathon to support my son Colin, who was running the half-marathon and raising money for Miles for Cystic Fibrosis. That evening changed the course of my life.

What began as volunteering soon grew into something much bigger. I became deeply involved with Miles for CF, eventually becoming Executive Director in 2014. Over the years, our organization evolved—growing the Big Peach Sizzler 10K & 5K, launching the BreatheStrong Exercise Grant program, creating the Critical Needs Initiative during COVID, expanding programs like BreatheStrong+, merging with the CF Lifestyle Foundation, building the Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health project, and ultimately rebranding as BreatheStrong CF in 2024.

Through it all, my greatest inspiration has been my son Colin. When he was diagnosed with CF at age two, the median life expectancy for someone with cystic fibrosis was just 18. Watching him and so many others face the challenges of building a future he did not expect to have has fueled my passion for supporting people with CF in living their lives actively and fully.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to meet so many people living with CF and their families and caregivers, and to experience the resilience and strength of this amazing community. Leading BreatheStrong CF has been intensely rewarding.

After this incredible 15-year journey, I am stepping away from my role and returning to being a volunteer. My goal has been to leave BreatheStrong CF when it was in good shape and in good hands. I’m proud to say that I can leave knowing that both are true. BreatheStrong CF is strong and in wonderful hands with our new Executive Director, Julie Eichenberg.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the mission of BreatheStrong CF in any way—whether by donating, volunteering, fundraising, running/walking our race, or sharing your story with our community. You have made this work possible.

As I close this chapter, I hope you will consider making a contribution to support BreatheStrong CF’s programs for the year ahead—and for the next 15 years of impact. The only limit to the help we can give is funding.

With much love and gratitude,
 Becky

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About BreatheStrong CF: 

BreatheStrong CF is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the physical and mental wellness of people with cystic fibrosis through education, direct support, and empowering opportunities.

Among our initiatives, we provide direct support to people living with CF across the US through exercise grants that are designed to help them build and maintain a lifelong habit of physical activity. We provide funding for a wide range of fitness-related expenses, empowering recipients to move in ways that strengthen both body and lungs.

For CF families in Georgia experiencing financial hardship, our Critical Needs grant may be able to help ease the burden of groceries and fuel costs.

For more information on BreatheStrong CF, visit our website www.breathestrongcf.org.