Hello, my name is Gwena Omahen, and I am a 17-year-old girl living with cystic fibrosis. 

Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is a chronic disease that affects the lungs. It causes an excess of mucus buildup as well as a decrease of the enzymes needed to break down most food. I have to take pills and do breathing treatments daily, as well as go to many doctor's appointments, to help make sure I stay healthy. 

There is currently no cure for CF, but there are ways to help it. One such way is exercise. Doing exercise helps break up the mucus in the lungs and allows people with CF to breathe better, as well as maintain an overall healthiness that is crucial. 

BreatheStrong CF is an organization that helps people with CF have access to exercise, by providing grants that can help pay for those activities. BreatheStrong CF has given me grants in the past that I am so thankful for. I have gotten grants to do gymnastics in past years, and more recently they have given me grants for musical theater. 

Now I am fundraising to both help support BreatheStrong CF's mission and to allow me to do the exercise that I love. I hope that you will donate to help people like me live happier and healthier lives.

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.