Sydney earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in high school and is currently a freshman at the University of North Carolina Wilmington pursuing a degree in nursing. Living with CF has shaped Sydney’s perspective and fueled her passion for healthcare.

As the oldest of five, including a younger brother who also lives with CF, Sydney has learned the value of resilience, compassion, and advocacy. She has remained active in her community: volunteering with her church, playing volleyball for her high school team, working as a lifeguard and babysitter, and participating in numerous CF Foundation Great Strides fundraising walks.

Looking ahead, Sydney hopes to combine her personal experiences and education to become a nurse who not only delivers excellent clinical care but, like the nurses who’ve cared for and inspired her, also offers the understanding, encouragement, and hope that meant so much to her throughout her own healthcare journey.

Laurana, now in the last year of nursing school at Purdue Global, has a 4.0 GPA and previously earned Honor Roll recognition while completing her prerequisite courses at community college. She has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Children’s Nebraska for more than five years and plans to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a pediatric registered nurse after graduation. She is grateful for the opportunity to pursue that goal, and believes it is never too late to follow a calling.

Diagnosed at 18 months old, Laurana has navigated the challenges of a chronic illness alongside her sister, who also has CF. Living with CF has taught her resilience, perseverance, and the importance of hope, lessons that continue to guide her both personally and professionally. She has participated in numerous CF fundraising efforts and clinical trials.

Beyond healthcare, Laurana is passionate about foster care and adoption. She and her husband are proud parents of two children through adoption and enjoy spending time together on family adventures and movie nights. In her free time, Laurana enjoys crafting and other creative pursuits that allow her to work with her hands.

Reagan is a junior at Brigham Young University majoring in Editing and Publishing and pursuing a minor in English. She hopes to become a fiction editor as well as a published fiction novelist.

Reagan completed her first two years of college at Bowling Green State University where she earned a 4.0 GPA in the school’s Honors College. During that time, she worked as a desk assistant for the university library and served as treasurer of the school’s Writer’s Nest club. She strives to spread awareness about CF in both fiction and nonfiction writing and has authored articles about her experiences living with CF and CF-related diabetes for both the CF Foundation's blog and Her Campus.

In addition to voraciously reading and writing, Reagan loves music, weightlifting, and running. She has completed the Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon twice and intends to run it more times in the future.

Amelia graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biological Sciences from Arizona State University in December 2024 and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University. With nine years of experience in podiatry as a medical assistant and diabetic shoe specialist, she has developed a deep passion for the field and a strong commitment to patient care.

Amelia understands, from her own experience living with CF, that the weight of a serious diagnosis can make people feel like their passions, their goals, and the life they imagined are no longer accessible. As a healthcare provider she is committed to giving patients the knowledge, guidance, and confidence to manage their condition, however demanding it may be. She plans to specialize in diabetic limb salvage and chronic wound care, working with underserved populations where the consequences of disengaged care are most severe.

Outside of her studies and career, Amelia loves staying active whether by hiking, rock climbing, going to the gym, traveling, or exploring new places.

Daelyn graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in Psychology in 2025 and is pursuing a Master's degree in social work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also works as a Mental Health Specialist at a children's hospital, helping children and families during mental health crises.

From a young age, Daelyn knew she was meant to make a difference in the world. As a teen, she collaborated with a PhD student at Vanderbilt University to create the first Mobile Makerspace for use by children at the university hospital. It helped isolated patients fight off boredom during long stays and increased their physical activity which is an important part of CF care. Daelyn's ultimate career goal is to become a pediatric hospice therapist and to provide comfort and emotional support to children with life-limiting illnesses, and their families.

Kenzie is a first-year student at The Ohio State University pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business. She graduated from high school with highest honors while participating in three varsity sports, holding active leadership roles in Student Council and Teen Institute, and continuing her long-term involvement in 4-H. Kenzie also has extensive work experience as a pet sitter, babysitter, and office worker for the Marion County Agricultural Society.

Kenzie plans to pursue a career with Ag Credit, combining her passions for agriculture, business, and community service to make a meaningful impact. Her goal is to support farmers and agricultural producers by providing access to the financial resources they need to grow their operations, invest in livestock and land, and remain sustainable during unpredictable market and weather conditions.

Kenzie looks forward to continuing her efforts to raise awareness of CF in college and beyond while embracing new opportunities to grow as a leader, student, and advocate.

Aaron is a second-year law student at the University of New Mexico. He earned a BA in history in 1999 and is returning to school after a 30-year career in music, entertainment, and technology. Concerned about climate change, among other existential issues, Aaron decided he wanted to work to find solutions. He believes that many technical solutions to climate change already exist, but legal, financial, political, and logistical barriers limit implementation. As a lawyer Aaron hopes to help remove those barriers.

Aaron is very active on campus as a Founding Member of the First Gen Law Students Group and representative for the UNM School of Law Environmental Law Society (ELS). This past summer he worked as a legal clerk for the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority where he helped facilitate electric transmission projects and lobbied for new legislation aimed at long-duration energy storage in New Mexico.

Serena is a junior at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio. She is majoring in Inclusive Early Childhood Education and plans to become an elementary school teacher. Serena maintains a 4.0 GPA and has extensive experience working with children as a swim instructor and substitute teacher.

At BGSU she is involved in Greek life as a member of the Chi Omega sorority and spends her free time volunteering with a local volleyball club and her Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chapter. She often participates in advocacy events for the CF Foundation, including as an intern for their Teen Advocacy Day, and is an annual participant in the Great Strides fundraising walk. Serena also likes to travel, read, and spend time with her family and dog.

Cameron is a first-year medical student at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine. She recently served as a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the NIH where she studied environmental factors that influence puberty and menstrual cycles in adolescent girls. As a physician, she hopes to become a leader in her field and advocate for those with chronic and rare diseases.

Cameron graduated with highest distinction from University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill in May 2025, earning a BS in Public Health and a BA in Chemistry. While working as a research assistant in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, she volunteered at UNC's Children’s Hospital and student-run free medical clinic. As an undergrad, she also volunteered as an emergency medical technician with the South Orange Rescue Squad (a nightly 911 ambulance service).

Outside of academics and research, Cameron tutors K-12 students and enjoys running. She has completed four half marathons and hopes to train for her first full marathon.