Team Jonah

Some would argue that turning 16, 18, or 21 are the most significant birthdays because of the opportunities and privileges they bring. Yet, celebrating Jonah and Javan's 20 th birthdays last month felt incredibly significant to me. We spent a simple night at home enjoying cake and presents, but Rob and I also shared things we admired and appreciated about each of them, and the ways we've seen God working in their lives. We encouraged them as they move out of their teen years and enter an incredibly exciting, important, and challenging decade of their lives, to strive for excellence, carefully consider their priorities, seek wise and Godly counsel, and try to honor God with every part of their lives. I told them to think about the husbands they want to be, the fathers they want to be, the church members they want to be, the employees they want to be…and to take active steps now to become what they envision. I encouraged them to make choices with eternity in mind. As I looked into the eyes of my sons, I felt so much love and pride for who they have become, and excitement about what God has ahead for each of them.

As we reflected on their past 20 years and talked about their futures, it was not lost on me how incredibly thankful I am for Jonah's health. As he struggled in the hospital with a collapsed lobe of his lung and significant effects from Cystic Fibrosis as a newborn so many years ago, it was hard to know what the future would bring. Yet here he is, entering his 20s with health and hope for an exciting and vibrant future. Yet it isn't without significant challenges. The fact remains that Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive disease with no cure, and it has continued to take a toll on Jonah's body. In recent years we have seen his lung function decline, and he has faced some concerning medical symptoms. And as an adult with a busy and demanding school and work schedule, it requires a lot of fortitude, diligence, and effort for him to fit in countless medications and two 45-minute breathing treatments every single day. There are times when it all feels very overwhelming and not a day goes by that we don't wish Jonah could experience life without CF.

Since its founding in 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been dedicated to researching lifesaving therapies and medications for CF with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for all people living with this devastating disease. Thanks to the foundation's tireless efforts, we now have drugs and therapies that improve treatments and daily life. There are also some medications that help fight certain effects of CF and even correct the basic defect and dramatically improve the health of some types of CF gene mutations, although unfortunately not the type of mutations Jonah has. We are incredibly thankful for the CF Foundation's unshakable commitment to finding a cure for everyone with CF and we recognize the need for ongoing support to help achieve that dream.

Every year the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holds Great Strides walks throughout the country, bringing people together to raise money and awareness of CF. The success of these walks is critical in helping the foundation continue their vision of a cure for all 40,000 people in the United States who have CF. Team Jonah will be participating in the Long Beach Great Strides walk on Saturday, May 31st. Since 2006, Team Jonah has raised almost $450,000 for the CF Foundation! We hope to raise another $20,000 this year and appreciate any donation you can make. Would you consider donating $20 in honor of the 20 years Jonah has fought CF? The easiest way is to visit TeamJonah.com and click Donate Now to make a secure online donation. Or you can write a check payable to “Cystic Fibrosis Foundation” and and contact us for details on where to send it. Donations are tax deductible and will be used to continue the CF Foundation's care programs and vital research. We would also love to have you walk with us at Great Strides! Just click Join Our Team.

We greatly appreciate your continued help and support. Thank you for helping us change the meaning of the letters CF to Cure Found!