all I want is a healthy child

May 18, 2010

All I Want is a Healthy Child by Christine Gerani

Lori and her son Greg

How many times have you heard that? Nobody cares if your child is a boy or girl as long as he or she is healthy and thriving. Unfortunately for the millions of parent’s that have children with genetic disorders, they suffer everyday with the fact that they might outlive their kids. Lori of Merrick is one of those Moms who worry’s every day. “It does make me crazy to think that my Greg may already have gone through 1/3 of his life. I know that nobody knows our time here on this Earth. The times I let myself think too much… I cry, get mad, all of that.”

Lori’s son Greg has Cystic Fibrosis.

Greg will be 12 years old Saturday, May 29 and will be in the 7^th Grade at Merrick Ave. Middle School in September. He is ‘The Ultimate Yankee Fan’, and is on PAL Baseball and a member of the youth Bowling League. He loves Old WW II, monster and adventure movies. Along with his older brother Matt,13 and dad Tommy, this family is just like any other, except this family fights everyday to find a cure so that they can enjoy the one thing that should never be taken for granted…life.

Please join Lori, her husband Tommy, and sons Matt and Greg at the Great Strides Walk Saturday May 22^nd at Hostra University at 9am.

If you can’t make it Saturday please click here to donate to Lori’s GREAT STRIDES Home Page and help make a difference in Greg’s life.

Greg speaking at last years walk alongside his dad Tommy

*For more information about Cystic Fibrosis please visit http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/

*Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Check out Greg’s YouTube Video last year promoting the 2009 Great Strides Walk at Hofstra University!

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