Oliver Pleune and Landen Wilfong became instant friends when they met, at three years old, on the sidelines of their older brothers’ basketball games. They have grown up side-by-side ever since. Now both sixteen, their friendship has never wavered, and they have decided to join forces to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. On February 22nd, 2025 Oliver and Landen will walk the runway as icons during the 2025 Fashion Breathes Life Gala.

Oliver's life over the past 16 years has been anything but easy. Oliver has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system.  That means that his days are dominated by breathing treatments, and every meal is accompanied by a handful of pills. He has spent many months in the hospital battling lung infections, and has endured countless rounds of intravenous antibiotic treatments. When his weight dropped due to severe lung infections and his body’s inability to get sufficient nutrition, he had to have a g-tube inserted in his stomach for nighttime feeding's.
 
But because of the amazing work of the CF Foundation (and all of your generous donations!), when Oliver turned 12 he was able to start taking a medication that completely turned his life around.  This miracle drug is called Trikafta.  This drug has improved his lung function, helped him gain (a LOT) of weight, and he has not been in the hospital for 4 years!! This drug has changed Oliver’s life, but it is not a cure, and it does not work for all of those that suffer from the many different genetic defects that cause CF. And so we will fight on, with the love and support of his family and his many friends, including Landen.