Just Breathe...

Have you ever stopped to think about your breathing?

For most of us, this is something we never have to contemplate.  We never have to worry whether or not the next breath we take is going to be effective enough to provide the oxygen that our bodies need.  This is such a blessing!

I've never really experienced the flu.  Growing up, if I came down with a sickness, it was usually either strep throat or a really bad sinus infection.  Several of these sinus infections have moved into my chest causing my breathing to be quite uncomfortable.  As much as I think of myself as being strong...when I get a sinus infection like that, I'm a whimp!  I gripe and complain and feel like I'm never going to be able to breathe again!  Just when I think the worst, the medicine kicks in.  I wake up one morning, and the weight is off of my chest.  I breathe in that crisp morning air, and the life is good again! 

I'm blessed.  I have healthy lungs, and I don't have to worry about daily medicines or therapy to help me clear my lungs.  

For many people, however, this is not the case.  Too many people go through their lives struggling for their next breath.  Too many people spend hours each day being diligent to  exercise and go through respiratory therapy in order to be healthy and avoid hospitalization.  Too many people struggle with Cystic Fibrosis.  

Because of this reality, I'm about to do something that I've spent most of my life DREADING AND AVOIDING!  I'm about to ask you for your financial support.  I've never been bothered by giving money to different causes, but the thought of asking for money has always terrified me!  When I was younger, as much as I enjoyed the fun assemblies with all the prizes for things like the Magazine Drive or Jump Rope for Heart or any other number of fundraisers, in reality the actual asking for support part really terrified me!  Maybe I just wasn't very good at "selling the product."  Maybe I just didn't WANT to ask.  Maybe I just didn't care enough.  

I'm asking now.  I'm asking for Harper.  I'm asking for all of the people who woke up this morning and faced Respiratory Therapy before drinking their morning coffee or brushing their teeth and take a handful of pills before every meal.  I'm asking for the people who are about to turn 30 knowing that the average life expectancy of a person with Cystic Fibrosis is 37 years old.  I'm asking for their families and children.  I'm asking for the researchers and scientists who work tirelessly day and night trying to find a cure.  I'm asking for the doctors and nurses who love their patients and want a cure found.  I'm asking for the moms and dads who are sitting in a small room right now waiting to hear whether or not their child might have CF and wondering what their future will look like as a family.  

I'm asking for me because I've finally found something that I'm grabs my passion and doesn't let go!  I'm asking because I have seen the positive things the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has already done.  I'm asking because I want to see a cure found for Cystic Fibrosis in Harper's lifetime!  

There is a Great Strides walk being held in Murfreesboro, TN, on May 18th.  I will be there with my family and friends as part of "Harper's Hope."  I will be walking for Harper. I am walking to raise money so that a cure can be found.  

I'm asking you to help!  To the right of my blog page, you will see a button with the Great Strides CFF logo on it.  Please click on this button and give your support!  If you are in the Middle TN area and would like to be a part of our team and walk with us, scroll to the bottom of the page and join our team!  If you are unable to walk but would like to donate money, scroll to the bottom of the page (after looking at the adorable picture of my sweet Harper!) and click donate now!  

Any amount is greatly appreciated!  My goal right now is set for $600, but I would really LOVE to surpass that and raise $1000!  That is my unofficial goal! 
UPDATE:  We have surpassed $600!  Thank you for those that have already donated!  Let's make it to $1000!  It is now my official goal!!
 Please help me reach this goal before May!  

Thank you in advance...and I'll get back to normal blogposts from here on out!  ;)