Jerry Cahill is 52 years old and is Living, Breathing and Succeeding with cystic fibrosis. Jerry talks about being listed for a double-lung transplant. Exercise has been a key factor in his life to keep his lungs clear and continues to be important pre-transplant.

• Jerry grew up in Brooklyn, NY. He attended the University of Connecticut, competed in track & field specializing in the pole vault, worked in the apparel industry for 26 years, coaches track & field and a prep school, and volunteers at the Boomer Esiason Foundation as he awaits a double-lung transplant.
• “Maintaining a positive attitude and being involved with people and events is key as I await the call,” Jerry says.
• “As my disease progresses due to shortness of breath, and my quality of life deteriorates, it is time to move on to the next step – transplant,” he says.
• Jerry believes he has been preparing for a transplant his whole life, as it is just another part of the battle with CF. “With CF, you always need to be prepared and RE-INVENT yourself!”
• Jerry’s advice: “Stay active and involved, have a great team of doctors that you believe in, have a great support team of family and friends, fundraise, and gear up for NEW BEGINNINGS as the best is yet to come!"

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is the 9th in a series of 12 made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Gunnar Esiason is 17 years old with cystic fibrosis. He's a high school senior and actively involved in sports, being compliant, and gearing up for college.

• Gunnar was diagnosed at age two and lives on Long Island with his family.
• "CF has obviously shaped my life, but I am fortunate to have a great family and friends,” Gunnar says.
• Gunnar loves to eat. Some of his favorite foods include steak, pizza, hamburgers, shrimp and carrots.
• “I take my enzymes with snacks and meals so my body can absorb all the nutrients from my foods and help me to gain weight. Also, if I don’t take my enzymes, I will get stomachaches, and that is very uncomfortable," Gunnar says.
• Gunnar keeps his enzymes in a pill box and always carries them in his pocket or backpack.
• “I usually try and have four meals a day and snacks between meals, and I make sure that I have a lot of OPTIONS with my food choices. I also make milkshakes to get extra calories."
• Gunnar’s advice on nutrition to others with CF: “Take your enzymes to help you stay healthy and keep your weight on and be energetic."
• “My long-term hopes and dreams are to live a long and full, healthy life and play sports till I am 60,” he says.

This podcast was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from EURAND to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.