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"How has your journey with CF shaped the problems you want to solve and the impact you hope to have on others?"

Not every kindergartener has to wake up at 5 a.m. for the first of three daily treatments before school, but that is exactly what I had to do. Despite the extra time and work that comes with living with cystic fibrosis, I never let it slow me down. From t-ball to dance to horseback riding to earning a black belt in Taekwondo, I was constantly doing as many activities as I could, regardless of any obstacles my health presented. As time went on, I became more and more interested in cystic fibrosis and wanted to know what I could do to help people like me. I participated in dozens of research studies for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and UNC Children's Hospital that were aimed at investigating ways to help improve the health of cystic fibrosis patients. In the seventh-grade science fair, I wanted to go beyond the traditional baking soda volcano, so I reached out to my cystic fibrosis doctor to find out what I could do that could make a difference. We developed a mini research study around the impact of exercise on lung function for pediatric cystic fibrosis patients. I won the science fair, but the real prize came over the next few years. A year later, the project results helped shape a larger study in Europe looking at the same concept. But the biggest impact came next. As part of my project, I was the first pediatric patient to use an at-home spirometer. My results proved that children, not just adults, can also use these and get consistent results. During COVID, my use of the spirometer was seen as a proof of concept and was vital in allowing the doctors to send home spirometer kits with the pediatric patients. The use of the at-home spirometer by children with cystic fibrosis significantly lowered their risk of exposure to COVID from the frequent visits to the hospital to use the facility's spirometers. Currently, I continue to participate in research studies and help whenever I can. In fact, a few months ago, I became the first pediatric patient selected to the Family Advisory Board for the Cystic Fibrosis Center at the UNC Children's Hospital. In this role, I share insights that help the CF team better understand cystic fibrosis from a patient's point of view. It has become a full-circle moment as I have gone from being a baby in the hospital, dependent upon the care of others, to now being the one the care team looks to in understanding what it's like to be a patient living with CF beyond the medical charts. I am determined to keep supporting patients, assisting with research, and pushing through every challenge to make a difference. All of this has taught me that I can use my voice both for CF and in my future career to help create meaningful and lasting impacts for others.