It's Spring again, and that means the annual Great Strides walk is coming up again in Houston, Texas! Great Strides is an organization that raises money for research on Cystic Fibrisis, and each and every dollar brings us closer to a cure for this disease. I am passionate about this walk because God sent an angel into my life in the form of an amazing woman named Cara Durnin. I met Cara and her husband Patrick last year at a Christmas party I went to with Matt, and we have been great friends ever since! I think sometimes people come into your life and you know that you will be friends with them forever...No matter what happens! I knew right away that Cara was one of those people, and even though her and her husband were stationed in Virginia last year, we have remained great friends. Cara was nice enough to let me come and stay with her this year while Matt and Patrick were deployed, and I ended up spending 3 months with her and her sweet dog Shiner. While I was staying with Cara I was able to give back by working closely with the USO in Norfolk, and give back to the amazing military men and women who sacrifice for us each and every day. Without Cara's help I would have never been able to have this amazing experience, and my life would not be the same today. On top of working full time, taking care of Shiner, entertaining me, and volunteering her time to help me with the USO, Cara also dealt with the symptoms of her Cystic Fibrosis, which often left her exhausted and sick...And her strength was something that truly inspired me each and every day. Cara has been an amazing support to me from the very first day we met, and has been an amazing friend to those around her all her life.
Last year I was able to join Cara in Texas for the Great Strides walk, and it was one of the most amazing times of my life! Not only was I able to support Cara in finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, but I was also able to meet all of Cara's friends and family, and see how each of them are truly touched by Cara simply being in their lives. Every time I visit Cara in Virginia or Texas I feel truly at home...because she is the kind of person who makes everyone feel special and loved. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend those 3 months with Cara and Shiner, and I always miss the amazing times we had just sitting on the couch laughing at Shiner or at something on tv, traveling in New York and Texas, and baking cookies and ham for the USO every week....But most of all, I just miss having such an inspiring friend around me every day. Cara inspires me to be a better friend, wife, women of God, mother to a dog (someday soon)...and to appreciate even the small things in life.
I know that you all have someone in your life who has truly changed you for the better, and inspired you to live a better life. When Cara was young, there were many times when the doctors told her parents that their daughter would not make it to see her next birthday because of this horrible disease. When I think about it, I can't even imagine how my life would be different today if those doctors had been right. There are many young children who die every day from Cystic Fibrosis...Children who will never be able to make a difference in people's lives like Cara has.
During my time in Virginia Cara lost a few of her friends to CF...Women who were friends, and wives, and mothers, and fellow angels. These women didn't have to die...I know that we can find a cure for this disease, and save so many amazing people!
In just a few weeks Cara will arrive at the Naval Base as her husband's carrier pulls back in to port, and they will be reunited after an 8 month deployment. They will then travel to Texas for Cara's walk, and head down to Mexico for their honeymoon after 2 years of marriage. Cara has a great life ahead of her...a life full of celebrating a wonderful marriage, welcoming children into the world, and bringing so much love into the lives of her family and friends. The average life expectancy for someone with CF is 37...Cara is 27. Ten more years is just not enough...so please help us give her and her fellow Cf-ers the greatest gift of all...the gift of more time.
The following is a video that will introduce you to Cara and to this horrible disease. Every little gift counts...So please go to the link below, or to the link at the end of this video and give what you can to help us find a cure now!!!
I love you all, and you are all a blessing in my life! Please help me to keep another one of my blessings breathing easy!!! :)
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=5860&idUser=223697http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcmLCiO6xs&feature=player_embedded
