When I hear the word “legacy,” it makes me think of everlasting. It makes me think of impact, and more importantly, it makes me think that someone, somewhere thought long and hard enough about what they wanted their everlasting impact to be when they are no longer here. We have heard the saying, life is short, many times throughout our lifetime. For those living with cystic fibrosis, that is sometimes a reality. However, it doesn't have to be in the future.

I am a friend of Lindsey Canniff. Lindsey has CF -- she's 25 and doing extremely well. She is doing so well because of the countless individuals before her living with CF, their families, and their friends who have fought to find a cure. She is doing so well because of the research, the development, and the investment that has come from years of hard work and dedication from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We are not done yet. We are nowhere close to being done. In fact, we are just getting started.

My generation has the opportunity of a lifetime! Generations before us have built the most solid foundation for us to pick up and carry the torch forward to find a cure for CF. It has taken decades to get to this point and will take even more time to find a cure. So how will I ensure that I can make an impact regardless of whether I am here or not? Two words: legacy giving.

I believe that we can create an impact while we are here and even after we are gone, because tomorrow is never guaranteed for anyone.

For more than 65 years, parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, and so many others have paved the way for our generation to take action. Now more than ever, legacy giving provides my generation the opportunity to plan for the future of unknowns. We can make a difference in the lives of those living with CF like my friend, Lindsey.

My friends and I have had the opportunity to walk at Great Strides, run the Falmouth Road Race in Massachusetts, climb the stairs at One International Place in Boston, play a few rounds of golf, sip some wine, and so much more. We have created a lasting impact for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and it is up to our generation to continue to do just that.

As the chair of the Tomorrow's Leaders group of young professionals for the Massachusetts Chapter, I am beyond grateful to work with such incredible individuals who care deeply about the mission and vision of the Foundation. I am involved in legacy giving because of them as well. They give me hope, inspiration, and purpose to keep moving forward.

I hope that when it is time for my legacy gift to be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, it can go directly to funding the cure for cystic fibrosis; that all the time, energy, and money raised after all these decades would have produced a cure; that we will have already celebrated for many years that we have cured CF for all who are impacted. My gift will be added to the many other legacy gifts that I hope my friends, fellow Tomorrow's Leaders, and so many others my age who are looking to create that everlasting impact will continue to make.

Together, we will ensure that CF stands for cure found. Whether that comes today, tomorrow, or once we are gone, we will know that we have had made a huge impact in that effort.

Please join me in supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Legacy Giving program and providing tomorrows to all those who deserve them.

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