Dear Friends and Family,

Hi, it’s me, Mackenzie Marquis. Many of you may know my parents Carrie and Jay or me. Mommy and Daddy thought you might like to know what is going on with me and my fight against Cystic Fibrosis.

As most of you know, I came into this world at 29 weeks weighing in at two pounds, six-ounces. Mommy says no one was ready for me yet, but I was ready to conquer the world. I came out with a red hair. I came out with a fighting spirit. I came out with Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is a rare genetic disorder that affects the lungs and intestines. Right now, the experts say I’m only supposed to live until 36, but I have places to go and big things to do, so I know that’s just not long enough.

I’m three now and I’m just like any other kid. I go to Pre School where Ms. Elena sometimes picks me to be her Line Leader. I dance as if I am a true ballerina. I am a princess with ever-changing sets of costumes. I’m a big sister, a stinker, a dreamer, a lover and a fighter. The fighter is what helps me get through the days of being a CF patient. I have breathing treatments twice a day, plus chest percussion therapy. I have a crazy diet, and I also take a variety of medications to break down my food. And did I mention I was three? So I’m not always an eager participant in my daily regimen.

Most of the time, you would never know I was sick. And, frankly, except for the "sick" times, my family and I try not think about it either. But, the disease is there and not leaving. The daily treatments and threat of infection never lets us forget.

40 years ago, I’d be lucky to see the first day of kindergarten. Just 10 years ago, the average CF patient lived to be about 26. Now, thanks to research and medical breakthroughs, kids like me are getting more time to experience and discover the world.

Right now, I’m just a little girl so I don’t know exactly what a future is. I’m pretty content just playing with my friends, constantly taking things from my sister, testing the waters with Mom and Dad and hugging my dog, Jack. But I sense there are some big things ahead for me and when I’m older, I’ll be right in the thick of the excitement.

With your help I can do it. Every dollar buys precious time. One day it will buy a cure. Please join me in my fight. Please come walk with my family and me as a Mackenzie Mad Dog on May 17th in Uptown and donate in order to ensure I can be here to experience all that life has to offer.

You can make a difference in one of three ways:

1. WALK TO FIND A CURE... Click Here http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/CarrieayMarquis Sign up as a Mad Dog team member.....Set a personal goal for yourself....Make your first “personal” donation....Send a letter/e-mail to your friends and family, asking them to support your Walk....Come to the walk and enjoy!...Just press the "Join my Team" button and get started.

2. SATELLITE TEAM TO FIND A CURE... Click Here http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/CarrieayMarquis Do everything the walkers do except we will walk for you....Just press the "Join My Team" button and get started.

3. DONATE TO FIND A CURE... Click Here http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/CarrieayMarquis Send a financial donation to help Mackenzie’s Mad Dogs....Just press the "Click To Donate" button to support our cause.

Thanks for listening and giving me a fighting chance.

Mackenzie Marquis