I am supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in this year's Uncork a Cure Event held at 78th Street Studio in Cleveland, Ohio on October 10th, 2025. 

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has fueled dramatic improvements in cystic fibrosis research and care. Because of the Foundation, people with CF are living longer and healthier lives. The outlook for people with CF continues to improve year after year. My family is beyond appreciative of the CF Foundation and our family and friends for their support in making these research initiatives possible. 

When Maria was initially diagnosed in 1999, the average life expectancy was 20; with today's advancements, people diagnosed with CF can live into their 60s. Vertex Pharmaceuticals has been instrumental in the development of Trikafta which aids in the treatment of those with at least one copy of the F508del mutation. Trikafta has the potential to treat approximately 90% of all CF patients, making it a significant advancement in the treatment of CF. However, there is still the 10% of those with CF that we continue to fight and fundraise for. 

Since starting Trikafta, Maria has completed her first marathon, 200-mile relay race, triathlons, etc. allowing her to continue to improve her lung function. She is currently living in Raleigh, NC working as a chemical engineer at Biogen. This past August she got married in downtown Cleveland. 

Thank you in advance for your support and participation to this event, you are helping to make a difference for people living with cystic fibrosis! Because of your generosity, we are one step closer to making CF stand for Cure Found. 

Katie Znidarsic