CF Community Blog

Gabriella Balasa

Adult with CF

Learn more about Gabriella Balasa

  1. Interview: Ella Balasa Chats With CF Researcher About Phage Therapy

    By Ann Field & Gabriella Balasa November 14, 2019

    In January, I underwent successful phage therapy -- an experimental treatment in which viruses are used to kill difficult-to-treat bacteria. To get a better sense of the future of this potential treatment option for other people with CF, I chatted with the head of the Infection Research Initiative at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

  2. What I Learned Preparing for a Lung Transplant

    By Gabriella Balasa August 27, 2019

    Preparing to be listed for lung transplant taught me a great deal about what to expect during the transplant process and helped me form bonds with others going through the process with me.

  3. My 5 Takeaways From ResearchCon

    By Gabriella Balasa March 20, 2019

    As co-chair of ResearchCon, I had the opportunity to work with other members of the cystic fibrosis community to help set the agenda for a virtual research conference on CF infections. The event left me in awe of the scientists and the work being done around the world to fight this disease.

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  4. Traveling With CF: Plan Ahead, Be Flexible, and Accept Help

    By Gabriella Balasa May 17, 2018

    After three surgeries to fix a collapsed lung, I still managed to travel abroad. It took a lot of planning, help from family and friends, and simply not caring about what other people think.

  5. How One Conversation Led Me to Being More Intentional About My Life

    By Gabriella Balasa March 12, 2018

    Facing a possible lung transplant led me to rethink how I wanted to live my life.

About Gabriella Balasa

Ella Balasa is a person with cystic fibrosis, a writer, a patient advocate, and a scientist. She received her education from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014 and has worked as an environmental microbiology lab manager. She is involved in the cystic fibrosis community as a director of the US Adult CF Association and serves on various research committees -- including the CF Foundation Infection Research Steering Committee. She was a co-chair for the inaugural CF virtual research conference, ResearchCon, and has been named the 2019 CF Ambassador for the Virginia Chapter. When she is not taking care of her health, she enjoys spending time with friends, writing her column “This Lung Life” on CF News Today, and traveling as much as she is physically able. Follow her life experiences on her Instagram @thisgirlella.

This site contains general information about cystic fibrosis, as well as personal insight from the CF community. Opinions and experiences shared by members of our community, including but not limited to people with CF and their families, belong solely to the blog post author and do not represent those of  the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, unless explicitly stated. In addition, the site is not intended as a substitute for treatment advice from a medical professional. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your treatment.