Photo of the Week

[Heidi & Milton]

Wait a second!  Did I forget to write "Puppy" Photo of the Week?!  No, I am not mistaken.  Milton is getting bumped today for a higher cause.  Today's photo is of a very good friend of mine, Anny.  Anny and I grew up together in upstate New York, and we have always been very close.  She and I met way back in kindergarten when we rode the same school bus, and our big brothers introduced us.  Throughout the many years we have known each other, 23 years now, we have always had an awful lot of fun together - swimming in Owasco Lake, eating ice cream from Tom Thumb's, and playing with our dogs, Lady and Brutus.

Pretty lady

Anny and I share a lot of commonalities, except for one.  She has cystic fibrosis (CF).  Since meeting Anny, I have always known that she struggled with this illness.  In case you are unaware, cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that targets the lungs.  It is a gene mutation that leaves the body unable to break down thick, sticky mucous that clogs not only the lungs, inhibiting breathing, but it also affects the pancreas, hindering digestive processes.  About 30,000 children and adults in the United States are living with this disease.  There is no cure for CF, and most people born with this illness only live into their 30s or 40s, although new strides are always being made to conquer this disease (CFF.org).  Due to constant phlegm buildup, that Anny's body cannot regulate, Anny has been some form of "sick" all throughout her life with frequent lung infections.  To help her, she has always been on a steady stream of pills and needed frequent exercise along with physical therapy, like pounding on her back and chest to loosen the mucous.  Despite very routine visits to the doctor and more than the occasional hospital stay, Anny has managed to maintain a fairly normal lifestyle. 

Since this blog post is quite different than my usual Milton the Doodle post (I am attempting to raise money for my good friend), to continue reading please visit www.goldilocksandherdoodle.com  Thank you!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

fingers crossed anny gets her double lung transplant.  i am on the organ donor list and made sure my family know my wishes. if i cant donate organs i hope my body can be used for research or training. Its important to put stories like annys out there, raise awareness of the importance of organ donorship.

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is a wonderful cause. I hope many contribute.