This month, we are taking a break from our usual tree-related discussion to focus on raising awareness for an illness dear to our family: Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis affects more than 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. and 70,000 people worldwide. May is a time every year when the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation asks that people share their CF (Cystic Fibrosis) story as a way of bringing awareness to the illness. This May, we at Canopy Tree Service would like to do our part to raise awareness for this life-altering illness by sharing the story of the company owner's daughter. 

Patricia (pictured above) is a bright, charming, clever, active girl. She faces a lot in her lifetime as she was diagnosed with CF before birth. CF is a genetic mutation that results in the host having extra thick mucus in their body. This results in frequent sinus/chest infections, digestive issues, hormonal issues, and glucose issues. Patricia must eat unbelievably high calorie counts, do breathing treatments 3 times every day, take a regimen of medication with every single meal and even some with snacks, check her blood sugar 4 times a day, and somehow find time to be a normal kid too. 

Within the last year, funding from the CF Foundation has progressed research to the point that Patricia has been able to start life-extending therapies. She started taking a revolutionary medication called Trikafta near the end of March this year, and started using a new lung therapy treatment called the Volera in April. Her treatment time has been cut significantly. What used to take 3.5 hours of her daily life now takes less than 1 hour a day, and she has managed to avoid a minimum 2-week hospital visit thanks to these new therapies. 

Nearly every cystic fibrosis drug available today was made possible because of CF Foundation support. We at Canopy Tree Service would love to show our support for this organization that has deeply impacted our whole family, so we are trying to raise $750 in donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We ask that our customers and followers considering donating and/or sharing the link (posted below) for our fundraiser when possible. All donations go towards an amazing organization that actively changes lives, including Patricia's and her entire family and support system. 

https://www.facebook.com/donate/803267433867554/