My name is Lauren Randazzo and I am a 17-year-old girl living in Williston Park. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the lungs and pancreas, at what was once considered to be late in my life, when I was 6 years old. My parents had always known that something was wrong with me. However, when they told people that I was always sick, or that my cough never seemed to go away, everyone, including doctors, just shrugged it off as overanxious parents complaining. One can say that my diagnosis was the biggest "I told you so" ever. After being diagnosed, the doctors told my parents that unless I took on a heavy schedule of medications and therapy, I probably would not live past my 20s. As a result, I do therapy and medications for about an hour every single night, take IV antibiotics, periodically go into the hospital, and take various pills and inhalers everyday. However, looking at me today you would never have any idea that I am sick, which nobody actually did until recently. Having Cystic Fibrosis had been a secret up until I reached high school when I began fund-raising with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Although I have Cystic Fibrosis, I have still played softball, soccer, and tennis, fought with my parents, cried when my dog ran away, and smiled when he came back. I have cheered at my younger brother's baseball games, had a job, lost friends, made new friends, been lonely, been jealous, and have even laughed at one of my mom's stupid jokes. I have made a wish with the Make-A-Wish foundation, been inspired, inspired others, and raised over $5,000 for Cystic Fibrosis (with LOTS of help from my family and friends). I have done volunteer work, been a camp counselor, gone hiking, been on the high honor roll, and even visited Italy. I have dared my disease to kill me, and then dared my disease to let me live so I could beat it. Cystic Fibrosis has inspired me to work to my optimum potential and never give up. Just recently I was awarded a certificate for maintaining status on the High Honor Roll at my school, Mineola High School, for four consecutive quarters. Having Cystic Fibrosis has taught me to never ever give up on anything that is important to you. Well, this year my local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting a Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis on May 10. This walk will be held at Hofstra University at 9 a.m. Fundraising and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis is extremely important to me, which is why I have volunteered to be a team leader for this Great Strides Walk. I am asking and encouraging everybody to get involved and help me in this fight against Cystic Fibrosis. Whether you would like to donate to the cause or my team, do fundraising, or participate in the walk, it is all very much appreciated. My team, Breathe Deep, raised over $3,000 last year and we would absolutely love to do even better this year. For more information, please log on to my team's homepage, http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/LaurenRandazzo5182

Lauren Randazzo