I Hope I Inspire You, Too: A Letter to my Best Friend

Alexa was my best friend: the class clown, the leader of our wolf pack and the greatest sidekick I could ever have. Every day I spent with her was a blessing. I will cherish our memories until we meet again. 

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Alyson Owens
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Alexa,

I remember the very first time we met in sixth grade and I was struck by how comical you were. Everyone wanted to be friends with you; you were over the top, lovable and had no shame (which only enhanced your humor). Over the next nine years, I was fortunate enough to have you become my best friend and one of the most important people in my life.

You weren't very transparent about having cystic fibrosis, even though we knew you were often sick and wouldn't come to school. You only opened up to me about your struggle with the disease when we started high school. As a teenager, one can be blind to how serious CF is. As our other best friend Alyssa has said, “Our attention was usually focused on 'Spicy Chicken Wrap Wednesdays,' how many times a week we could wear our favorite sweatpants and boys.”

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Twin day in middle school. Alexa made us dress in sweats from head to toe because that was her favorite attire.

When college rolled around, we “just so happened” to choose the same school and major (I know you really just didn't want to leave me). Then of course we registered for every single class together … literally every class. We were inseparable. You would come to my dorm, call it “your dorm” and eat all my food. But I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Throughout our freshman year you became very ill. You were constantly hospitalized, and soon you were unable to make the commute from Long Island, NY, to Manhattan for class every day.

Most of our friends and peers never would have guessed you were suffering from CF. You were the class clown, the leader of our wolf pack and the greatest sidekick I could ever have. Every day spent with you was a blessing. You would make me laugh until I cried (way too often). Luckily enough, I have an archive of stories, videos and photos to make me belly laugh until we meet again.  I am also grateful to still have your family in my life and I promise to be the best aunt I can be to your nephew, “Alexander the Great.”

When you passed in May 2011, I didn't really know how I was supposed to go on without you -- no one in your life did.

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A page out of a workout book Alexa made for me in high school.

As time went on, I began to understand your passing and accepted that you spent your time on this earth exactly the way you wanted to -- by eating Swedish Fish and drinking gallons of apple juice. At the end of 2011, I felt compelled to help fight this relentless disease. That was when I reached out to the Greater New York Chapter to see how I could help. “Alexa's Minions” participated in their first Great Strides walk in 2012, and since then we have raised over $10,000 in your honor. I know that you must enjoy watching our crazy fundraisers.

It felt very rewarding to support this cause in your memory, so during my senior year I decided to intern at the Foundation's Manhattan office. Three months after graduation, a position opened at the chapter. It felt as if you were putting together the pieces of a puzzle for me. I was with Alyssa when I received the call from HR that I had gotten the position. It felt so special to have her there with me in that moment, since you physically couldn't be.

Alexa, I have learned more from you than I have from any professor, textbook or life experience, and I am forever grateful to you for that. I have also learned so much about cystic fibrosis after getting involved with the CF Foundation, and I am so incredibly happy to be helping in this fight.

When we have adults with CF come to our office to speak with us, I always see a little bit of you in them -- bold, kind and, most importantly, funny! As the saying goes, “laughter is the best medicine,” and you lived as long as you did because of your out-of-this-world sense of humor. Thank you for the giggles, Alexa. I am on this journey for you.

Love,
Alyson

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.

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Alyson first got involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2012 after the loss of her close friend. Starting off as the Great Strides team leader of Alexa's Minions, she then became an intern at the Greater New York Chapter and eventually a full-time employee in the fall of 2013. She is passionate about photography (and expanding her camera collection), social media, family, friends and post-it notes. In her free time, Alyson works on perfecting her newest hobbies, knitting and stand-up paddle boarding. Born and raised on Long Island, Alyson currently resides in Manhattan and works at the CF Foundation Greater New York Chapter -- Manhattan. Follow @fromwesttoeast on Instagram and @alytre on Twitter.

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