During The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s National CF Awareness Month in May, Walgreens launched “CF Champions: Navigating the Journey, Together,”  a campaign to support champion patients and caregivers affected by cystic fibrosis (CF).

Cystic fibrosis affects about 30,000 adults and children in the U.S. Despite aggressive treatment plans and daily challenges, CF champions choose to look on the bright side, no matter what comes their way.

Walgreens has joined four champions, and through the recently-launched platform, CF Champions share their experiences of what it is to live with cystic fibrosis, and offer ideas for meeting challenges, including prevention of infection, nutrition, and treatment regimens.

The CF Champion Ambassadors were chosen because they report different perspectives about living daily with the disease. The selected champions are:

• Mary and Peter Frey of The Frey Life. Mary was diagnosed with CF at just 7 weeks old. She and her husband Peter are walking each step of the CF journey together. In their vlog, or video blog, they share videos about cystic fibrosis, aiming to inspire others to live a happy life regardless the disease.
• Kristen Chidsey of A Mind “Full” Mom. Chidsey was diagnosed at 31, her children diagnosed at 7 and 3. Her diagnosis was late in life compared to most CF patients, but she was relieved to finally know what caused years of mysterious health issues. Then, just six months after her diagnosis, her two kids, Tate and Layla, were also diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Chidsey is a food and restaurant editor, and writes a blog about family, sticking to a budget, recipes, and healthy living.
• Laura Boyer of Mama Pure. Boyer is the caregiver for her son Bennett, who at just 8 days old was diagnosed with CF through the state’s official newborn screening. She takes the disease as part of their family routine. Boyer is a stay-at-home mom who writes a blog about baby products and motherhood.
• Rachel Young of Jet-Setting Mom. Young’s 6-year-old daughter Claire was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 8 months old, shortly after the family noticed her excessive wheezing and coughing, and not hitting the right growth milestones. Young writes a blog about travel destinations, services, and products, where she shares how they bring their CF treatment routine along for family travels.

“In the community of people involved with cystic fibrosis – patients, caregivers, health care professionals, researchers – there are many champions,” said Gerald Gleeson, group vice president, Walgreens enterprise specialty, in a recent news release. “We have selected some whose lives are touched by CF and who are also good storytellers, people who can share insights into the lives of families touched by this condition. We hope we can all learn something from them.”

By encouraging optimistic conversation about managing CF, the Champions hope to provide inspiration and the latest best clinical practices. The program website also provides resources that simplify access to medication, as well as medication adherence methods, and support for patients to live healthier, happier lives.