Colleen Caul was born into a big Irish family in St. Louis, Mo. Growing up, Colleen was always active, but her whole life changed in 2004, when her uncle started to coach her little sister, Katie Rose, how to run. Katie Rose has cystic fibrosis. Elated to see the positive effect that running was having on her sister’s health, and inspired by their dedication, Colleen started to run.

In the past five years, Colleen has completed four marathons and recently completed the “Run for Roses,” a 65-day running pilgrimage to spread awareness, raise funds and share stories about cystic fibrosis.

Colleen founded the Run for Roses Foundation (www.runforroses.com) to support her efforts to raise funds toward a cure for CF.

-    In honor of her sister, Katie Rose, Colleen ran from St. Louis to New York City from July to September 2011. She ran 1,000 miles in 65 days for one dream: to cure cystic fibrosis.
-    Colleen ran 15.5 miles each day, and her stretching routine was about three hours a day. She ate Starburst candy for energy during her runs and refueled with chocolate milk.
-    During the 65-day run, Colleen blogged with friends and fans. In Ohio, she had the opportunity to run with a family that has two children with CF. “It was amazing, they both ran four miles with me,” Colleen says.
-    “People with CF never have a day off … when things got tough during a run, I just thought of that and said I can do it!” she says.
-     “Crossing the finish line in New York City was incredible,” Colleen says. “Katie, family and friends joined in for the last five miles – it was an out-of-body experience that I will never forget.”
-    The overall message Colleen wants Run for Roses to communicate is HOPE & POSITIVITY.


This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Josh Mogren: Moving Forward After Losing a Sister to CF

Josh Mogren is a 32-year-old with cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy. Josh, who lives in St. Paul, Minn., discusses overcoming all obstacles with CF, including the loss of his sister, Angela, to CF. Josh has been happily married to Carly for five years, and also enjoys the company of their two dogs and the puppet, “Moganko.”  Josh has a blog (www.welcometojoshland.com), is a movie buff, enjoys singing karaoke, and is LIVING BREATHING & LOVING LIFE. 

• Josh was diagnosed with CF at birth; his older sister, Angela, also had CF.
• Josh has fond memories of his Angela: “Angie was strong-willed, very funny and a real prankster. My sister taught me to be a strong advocate for myself, and that is very important when you have an illness like CF,” Josh says.
• “Growing up, Angie was a lot sicker than I was, and that was very frustrating for her. I felt terrible about it ‘cause I was doing so much better – it was not fair,” he says.
• Josh believes it’s ok to be sad but that people with CF have to keep fighting and be HAPPY! 
• “Having fun and making light of things is the key to being happy. That is why I created my blog and YouTube site (“Welcome to Joshland”). I share a lot of my thoughts and stories about my life, CF, and otherwise,” Josh says. 
• Josh appreciates things a lot more since the loss of Angie, and he feels blessed to have a great family and friends.

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Jerry Cahill has been an inspiration to the CF community for many years.  His message of living, breathing, and succeeding has touched the lives of many people living with cystic fibrosis.

Recently, we tagged along with him on the way to Milwaukee, where he spoke to packed house at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.  Jerry's message was clear - everyone with CF should be exercising and getting involved in the CF community.  Jerry talks about his lifelong struggle with CF and his no-nonsense approach to managing CF on a daily basis.

To learn more about Jerry Cahill, the Boomer Esiason Foundation, and cystic fibrosis, be sure to visit our website at www.esiason.org. Share your thoughts and stories with Jerry by e-mailing him at jcahill@esiason.org.

Valerie Batz, a 52-year-old with cystic fibrosis (CF), received a double lung transplant 13 year ago. In this podcast, she discusses life “pre and post” her transplant.

Valerie has been happily married for 24 years and is the proud mom of healthy twins who are now 22 years old.  Valerie studied in Paris, majoring in international business, She speaks three languages and has worked for an international computer company. Val’s passion is cooking, especially Italian food, and her dream vacation is to return to Paris for her 25th wedding anniversary.

Valerie is living, breathing and succeeding in Illinois with her beautiful family, and although she still has CF, she breathes easier with her new lungs.

-    Valerie was diagnosed with CF at 22 months old. “I’m grateful to my parents who raised me with high expectations, and treated me like a normal child,” she says.
-    Pre-transplant, Valerie was always sick, everything was an effort, and due to lack of oxygen, she always was tired. “Life pre-transplant was overwhelming, as my FEV’s were less than 20 percent,” Valerie explains.
-    Growing up, Valerie was active in swimming, cheerleading and skiing. Post-transplant, she stays active by biking.
-     “Transplant is not a cure … you trade one disease for the other, but this disease is better, I can breathe,” she says.
-    “Life post-transplant initially is a little bumpy, but you will get through it and it is worth it,” Valerie says.
-    Valerie’s advice: “Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose … that is how we all pick up germs and get sick.”

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Kay Wharton Massow, 49 years old with cystic fibrosis (CF), discusses “living life to the fullest as an adult with CF.”

Kay has been married for 22 years and is the proud mom of a 19-year-old daughter, Ashley.  After a successful career in the advertising industry, Kay now does freelance creative direction and graphic design work. She also enjoys jogging and weightlifting to keep her lungs clear.

Kay is living, breathing and succeeding in Illinois with her beautiful family.

•    Kay was diagnosed with CF at age 21, after she attended Purdue University.
•    “I am very happy that I was diagnosed later on in life and that CF was not a major factor in my life as a child – I just led a normal life,” Kay says.
•    Kay considers herself a bit of a “health nut” and is very involved in nutrition, exercise, the “joy factor” (being happy), and being compliant to her medication routine.
•    “I believe in the ‘three eights’ … eight hours of sleep every night, eight hours of exercise every week, and eight hours of the joy factor (fun) every week,” Kay says.
•    “My daughter inspires me to push on in life despite having CF,” she notes.
•    Kay believes in a good quality of life that includes a combination of physical exercise, a positive attitude, and getting out and socializing.

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Living, Breathing, and Succeeding for 100 podcasts!

We salute Jerry Cahill, an inspiration to many inside and outside the cystic fibrosis community!

Jerry started the CF Podcast in 2005.  Since then, they've grown in popularity and given a voice to people with CF.  More importantly, they've given hope to thousands who struggle with cystic fibrosis on a daily basis.  If you've missed a podcast, you can catch all of them online at www.jerrycahill.com.

Living.  Breathing.  Succeeding.  Congratulations, Jerry Cahill.

For more information on cystic fibrosis, Jerry Cahill, or the Boomer Esiason Foundation, be sure to visit our website, www.esiason.org.

Gunnar Esiason, a 19-year-old with cystic fibrosis, is a sophomore majoring in English at Boston College. Gunnar is physically active in intramural sports, works at being compliant, and loves college life.

• Gunnar was diagnosed with CF at the age of two. He had a normal childhood and played lacrosse, baseball, football and ice hockey. Gunnar, despite the usual frustrations, never lets CF get in his way from leading a normal life.
• Gunnar feels very comfortable living with roommates in a dorm setting and sharing about cystic fibrosis. “Having roommates just adds to the whole college experience … I would not do it any other way,” he says.
• “Going away to college has taught me to be more independent, and be responsible for doing my medications, airway clearance, getting enough rest, cooking and proper nutrition. I don’t want to get sick, so I have learned to take responsibility for my actions,” Gunnar says.
• Gunnar values sleep and tries to get nine to 10 hours a night. His priorities are staying healthy, academics and socializing. Regarding socializing at college: “You have to make the right decisions and avoid people who smoke.”
• Gunnar on telling people at college he has CF: “I am straight up with them and keep it simple – it’s a respiratory disease. Telling people I have CF helps them and myself grow – that is part of the college experience …”
• Gunnar’s role models: “My parents and my sister Sydney [also attending BC]. They BELIEVE in me and are always telling me I can do it. My family is the best and they always push me to take care of myself.”
• Gunnar’s advice to others thinking about going to college: “Do it – go to college and experience it! If you have the opportunity to go away to school – do it! Be independent and your own person – you will grow as a person.”
• Gunnar on Gunnar: “I am a nice person, I enjoy living life to the fullest and I have no regrets … It’s all about going forward and not living in the past …”

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is the fourth in our third season and is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Courtney Ward Runs NYC Marathon for Team Boomer in 4 Hours 56 Minutes

Laps for CF Foundation
...on the road to a cure...

The Laps for CF Foundation is an organization based out of Birmingham, Alabama that fights Cystic Fibrosis everyday.  Together with CF supporters across the United States, the laps for CF Foundation raises money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis.

• The money the Foundation raises is awarded to 3 main organizations: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CF Hope for Alabama, and CF Care Clinics.
• Emily Schreiber was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the winter of 2003. After diagnosis and reading a  book called Karen's Ride - where a young girl, Karen, raised money for her local hospital... Emily decided  to do the same for Cystic Fibrosis.
• The first year Emily swam at Wald Park in Vestavia, Alabama and raised over $60,000.
• In 2005 Emily swam with the Auburn University swim team and raised over$220,000.
• Emily plans on teaming up with the Boomer Esiason Foundation to combat cystic fibrosis by launching Swim-a-Thons with 15+ Universities across the nation.
• For more information: www.lapsforcf.org
• E-Mail Emily at: emily@lapsforcf.org