It’s that time of year again and I am writing to ask for your help and enlist your support. This will be my 14th year walking and this year I've joined our cousin's team, "Silent Warriors" for Great Strides: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis, which is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual, nationwide 5K (3.1-mile) walk.

We are always looking for walkers but, f you aren't available to walk - that's alright - a tax-deductible pledge in lieu of your attendance would be GREATLY appreciated!

As you already know, we have been personally affected by CF. My wonderful husband, Greg, was diagnose with Cystic Fibrosis at the tender age of 2 months old. His older sister, Diana, passed at age 16 from this disease in 1988. His two younger cousins, Joe and Mike, are currently living with this disease as well.

We will be walking with a large group of family and friends in honor of Greg, Diana, Joe, and Mike, as well as for the over 30,000 others that have CF. Collectively, we would like to raise more than $1,500 for vital CF research. We would appreciate a donation of $10 (or more) from you, or whatever your budget allows. Your charitable contribution is 100 percent tax deductible.

For those that don't know, Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. More than 10 million Americans are symptom-less carriers of the defective CF gene. Much progress has been made toward finding a cure for CF, however, the CF Foundation’s work is far from over, as precious young lives continue to be lost to this disease.

Your contribution will enable the CF Foundation to take full advantage of the tremendous opportunities in CF research that are now on the horizon. The path to finding a cure for CF is paved with numerous research opportunities—any one of which could have a profound impact on the lives of those with the disease. The only thing standing in the way of a cure is additional money to fund this life-saving research. Your support allows us to give children and adults with CF the quality of life and future they deserve.

With the average life expectancy of 37 years old, let's do our part to raise the bar!

Thank you for supporting this important cause to us and our family!

Irish smiles,

Shannon