Hello, my name is Jordan Magsamen and I am 31 years old. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when I was 17 months old. When I was diagnosed all those years ago, the life expectancy for someone born with CF was 29 years old. I am grateful and truly so glad I beat those odds. I want to start out by thanking everyone who has supported me and the CF Foundation for years on end. You are WHY that is possible. 
 
I am so grateful for Trikafta (a life changing medication for some of the Cystic Fibrosis population) and all of the advancements in medicine. It has improved my lung health so much. My lungs are the healthiest they have ever been at 98%. My whole life I was mentally preparing for a lung transplant. In 2024, I started the process of Transplant Evaluation for a Kidney and Liver Transplant. Ultimately, a liver transplant was not needed at this time, and we went ahead with a Kidney Transplant in 2025. Some of you may have not realized that even before dialysis I barely got out of bed and if I did it was to move to the couch. I couldn’t make my own food, I couldn’t walk to the mailbox without needing to immediately sit down, I couldn’t contribute in really any way. I put off dialysis for longer than I should have, but I knew that when I started dialysis there was no turning back. I was tied to that machine because it kept me alive. I’ve been through hell and back, but dialysis was the absolute worst thing I’ve ever had to endure. I only had to do it for 6 months, but it felt like a lifetime. I am so glad that chapter of my life is in the past and I'm moving forward. 
 
My mom, Laura, was my donor and I received her kidney August 21, 2025.  I named the kidney "Tulip" because it felt weird calling my mom's kidney, my kidney. Unfortunately, I will always have highs and lows. That is just the reality of my life. Taking the good with the bad. Right now, I am living and breathing, and I can’t believe I’m not tied to a machine anymore. All of my labs are holding steady, and my transplant team is very happy with my progress. Receiving the transplant was probably the easiest part. It is the constant worry about rejection or infection that worries me the most. I have been immunocompromised my whole entire life but now it feels a lot more serious. My mom doesn't have another spare kidney so I will do everything I can to protect Tulip.  Most people think that an organ transplant is a cure, but it comes with it's own problems and side effects. I have never experienced such intense side effects prior to transplant and now I take even more medications. 

I will get through this just like I always have. Everyone has always pushed me to be strong and do everything that was needed to survive. I am so happy to say I am livin’ life with my family, puppies and friends!  I am one lucky and, also unlucky woman. With today’s research and break throughs in treatments and drugs, I am able to breathe a little bit easier. I like to volunteer for the CF Foundation and participate in great events, just like Feastival. Being a CF advocate, raising awareness and funds, to hopefully change my life and that of others with CF, is important to me. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are well on our way to life-changing treatments and hopefully, a cure! Please join me on this journey and make a difference. We will not stop until CF stands for Cure Found! ❤️

Best - Jordan
Jordan Magsamen @jordiemag_cf