A day to remember

Today I am lucky enough to celebrate my 25^th birthday. That’s right, 25 years, a quarter century, half way to a mid life crisis.

As my friends and family will attest, I’m not normally one to make a fuss over birthdays. However, as a Cystic Fibrosis patient I can’t help but feel exceptionally lucky to be alive and well today.

Over the last year I have had several ups and downs. I have continued to battle reoccurring lung infections and have been on the brink of hospitalization several times. I have also gotten to know some other Cystic Fibrosis patients who haven’t been as lucky as me. In particular, Eva Markvoort has been a constant inspiration to me. I first learned about Eva’s battle when I met her Aunt’s Annette and Geri at a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser in late November. They told me of their incredible niece and her inspirational fight against Cystic Fibrosis.

Eva is a young CF patient who lives in Vancouver B.C. In October of 2006 Eva was told by her team of doctors that she was dying and needed a double lung transplant. Ever the optimist, Eva decided to fight back against the disease. She was determined to receive the transplant and continue her life. On October 23rd 2007, with her lung function at nearly 10 per cent, Eva received her new lungs.

After a long and arduous recovery period, Eva had gotten another crack at life. She moved out with her friends, enrolled in university and began making the most of each day she had with family and friends. Life was good – she had beaten her disease.

However, nearly a-year-and-a-half after her double lung transplant, Eva began experiencing the symptoms of chronic rejection. She is once again on the donor list and is waiting for another pair of lungs. The question is – will they come in time?

Eva is a remarkable woman who personifies everything that is important in life: love, friendship, family and hope.

At 26 she is dying…..for the second time. Despite this reality, she remains strong and positive.

Eva has inspired me to continue my fight against Cystic Fibrosis and to forge on with the Friends For Life Foundation. I am forever grateful to her for the lessons she has taught me and the ways in which she has inspired me.

Today, as I celebrate my 25 birthday, I will take time to remember those who have not been so lucky. Those brave CF patients who have lost or who are losing their battles. There is no doubt in my mind that I am lucky.

I am determined to live beyond my “life expectancy” of 37-years and it is my hope that other CF patients will be afforded the same fate. I am also determined to continue raising funds and awareness for this terrible disease until the day that CF stands for “cure found”.

Those of you who would like to follow Eva’s inspiring fight can do so at:

http://65redroses.livejournal.com