GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. This year, I'm walking in the GREAT STRIDES walk at the 2009 Baton Rouge - LSU Lakes walk on Saturday 05/16/2009 at 9:00 AM. Nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. Personally, I never even knew what Cystic Fibrosis was until I met the man of my dreams who had CF, Shaun Paton Pendarvis on September 13, 2008 and passed away on April 1, 2009. Having Shaun in my life was and continues to be an inspiration in my personal and public life. Anybody who knew Shaun is a better person because of him and I want to help raise money to go towards research and care for people that have CF, such as his brother, Bryan and other friends. Shaun had a double lung transplant at UAB after moving from Louisiana to Alabama and living there for over a year while waiting on the "list". His lung function was down to 19% before the transplant and was called into the hospital on December 15, 2007 and was discharged 9 days later on Christmas Eve. After the transplant, Shaun had 110% lung function and was healthy with no problems until his first complication on February 21, 2009, which turned into a severe pneumonia. Breathing became difficult for Shaun again and problems occured. A week after coming down with the infection, Shaun was put on a ventilator and fought for his life until Wednesday morning April 1, 2009 where the Lord decided it was time for him to go to heaven. Although losing Shaun is sad to everyone who knew him, CF as well as, our lives in general are going to end in death. By donating money to the CF Foundation you can help find a cure so that CF patients can someday live life as long as healthy individuals and not have to battle with the setbacks from every day obstactles to more severe obstacles that often put patients in the hospital for days or weeks at a time. Joining together, we can help make a difference, "Slowly but Surely." Thank you for your contributions, and please join my group "Super Squirrels United" for a beautiful walk in honor of Shaun and other Cystic Fibrosis patients. To learn more about Shaun and his mark in this world by his spirit and talent, view: www.myspace.com/shaunpen311 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usK94n9jwco

Making a donation is easy and secure! Just click the "Click to Donate" button on this page to go to make a donation that will be credited to my team. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated!

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

TEAM SHIRTS WITH SHAUN'S SKETCHED TEAM LOGO CAN BE PURCHASED! Send me an e-mail or text of your t-shirt size for order arrangements.

** So far there are many people who have joined the team. Keep the numbers coming for mutual support and with each person raising money the goal will be reached. God Bless, SA