We are gearing up for our second year representing Team Phoenix Flyers at this year's Great Strides Atlanta walk. Please consider making a donation of whatever you can comfortably afford to help the race to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis! Any and every dollar helps and is so very appreciated.

Phoenix is now 16 months-old and is growing so much and doing so well. He is such an amazing guy. He loves to go outside and try to talk about all that he sees... Bah for birds, Dees for kitties, Bah (again) for chickens, sniff-sniff for flowers, Boon for moon, panting sounds for dogs, etc. In the grocery store, he loves to shout "baboon baboon baboon" just as loud as he possibly can every time he sees a balloon. He's so entertaining! Any new person that meets him comments on how big and robust he is. And boy is he ever! A stranger would never know that he has a disease like Cystic Fibrosis. There are moments when I look at him and think it all must be a mistake- he's just too healthy to have CF! But these are just moments.

The reality is that life with CF is just not at all easy. Phoenix rarely complains, but he has to endure a bit more than most little guys. Though he has remained very healthy for the most part of this year, there have been many trying times for him, as well as for Josh and I. He had his first cold this year which turned into a lung infection, which is common for CF patients. After too many antibiotics that I care to admit and a round of steroids (sigh), Phoenix recovered and everything seemed to get back to normal, albeit his normal. Just over a month ago, though, a routine culture taken of Phoenix's throat grew a dangerous bacteria so P had to go back onto a strong high dose of an inhaled antibiotic, which introduced us all to the fabulous nebulizer (sigh again). We just got back from Emory yesterday where they took another culture of his lungs. We are saying our prayers and crossing our fingers that the bacteria is gone. For now. His doctors are sure to tell us that these things are just part of living with CF. We will be on and off and back on various treatments throughout his life.

We have also witnessed my 8 year-old niece, Phoenix's cousin, Emma, who also has CF, endure more than her fair share of difficulties over this past year, including a number of hospital stays. She is truly an amazing little girl with an infectious positive spirit. We love her so much and are walking on her behalf, as well!

Since I'm asking you for donations here, I feel that it's only fair and appropriate to share this little window of reality that is Phoenix's life with you. Yes, he has been dealt a heavy hand, but he makes the very best of each day I can assure you! He teaches me and Josh so much every day about how to deal, accept, and move on with it. I've been trying my whole life to learn how to do that and then here comes this little 16 month-old.... :) The truth of it is that even though things get difficult, there is so much for which to be hopeful! Like an eventual cure for CF!!

I am very optimistic that a cure for CF can be found in Phoenix's lifetime, but as his CF doctor just said to me the other day, the damage that this disease causes is irreversible, so time is of the essence! Please help me get this stinkin' cure found already!!! The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the reason that such advancement in treatment has already taken place. This is THE organization that will be funding the research that eventually leads to the cure! The money we raise here could be directly insuring that Phoenix gets to live a long and full life! There is so much that feels out of my control when it comes to Phoenix and his having CF. I, therefore, appreciate so much that I can help spread awareness of this disease and be a part of these fundraising efforts to help spread the message of the CF Foundation and it's commitment to continual search for a cure.

I appreciate your support in whatever form it comes. If you are unable to contribute to the walk this year, I completely understand and still appreciate you for just keeping Phoenix in your thoughts and prayers! There's always next year!!! :)

Here's a link you can use to make your donation to Team Phoenix Flyers. http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/PontzerNicole Please let me now if you have any difficulties or questions.

SO much love and thanks, Nicole

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and Great Strides!