Share this: The heartfelt story of one Penn Alum's battle with Cystic Fibrosis

Share this: The heartfelt story of one Penn Alum’s battle with Cystic Fibrosis

Recently a Penn alum sent me an email about the heartfelt story of fellow Penn alum Emily Kramer-Golinkoff (C’07) and her battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

After the jump, watch an extremely touching video and find out how you can help.

“Like many University of Pennsylvania Alumni, Emily Kramer-Golinkoff (C’07) is an incredibly impressive individual, not only because of her many wonderful accomplishments or the strength of her beautiful character, but because Emily is living with cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening disease that affects her respiratory and digestive systems. At 26 years old, Emily has graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and is close to completing a master’s degree in bioethics while also working in health care marketing. She has done all of this while only having one-third of the average person’s lung function. Although she has worked tirelessly her entire life to be as healthy and live as fully as possible, her CF is advanced and progressing.

The current life expectancy for those with CF is in the mid-30s, and we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is on the brink of major clinical breakthroughs that hold the promise of significantly extending and improving the lives of people with CF, but further research requires more funding.

Those of you who know Emily have experienced first hand her determination, passion for learning and life, and compassion for others. Emily is one of the most caring and kind people I know. Her story and strength, as well as the incredible love and strength of her family, is truly inspiring. Emily has excelled in all of her endeavors– at Penn and in the years after– all the while fighting a horrific disease yet remaining optimistic and hopeful. We must act now to make sure there is hope for Emily’s bright future and for those of the 30,000 other Americans who struggle with CF.

Emily’s family and friends have created a foundation called “Emily’s Entourage” with the hope of presenting a check for $50,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Emily’s honor. The CFF has been praised as one of the most efficient nonprofit organizations. More than 88 cents out of every dollar raised go directly to CF research, care and education.

The CFF is making remarkable progress everyday, but we fear that Emily is running out of time. We need your help! Yes, this is a fundraising campaign, and we are asking for your support. Gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated and are needed to fight this disease. But just as importantly, we are asking you to be a friend and advocate for Emily’s Entourage and pass this message on to your friends and families so together we can reach as many people as possible. We’re telling Emily’s story, but the reality is that 30,000 other Americans are fighting this devastating disease just like Emily. They all deserve the hope of a future. We need to put an end to the suffering for Emily and everyone else with CF.”

Learn more about the foundation and make a tax-deductible donation:
www.EmilysEntourage.org