Madonna!!

It is so great to see so many amazing people and celebrities support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with the #TakeABreathForCF campaign to raise funds and awareness for CF!! Of course there is only ONE celebrity that makes my world go round..... the ONE and ONLY Madonna. Madonna make my birthday one to remember and Take a Breath for CF! 

I sent Madonna this video back in 2015 when she did a question and answer on Instagram. 

https://instagram.com/p/BF7SMvJnAm7/

I had 15 sec or less to record this video and ask her anything....So much pressure!!!  So, naturally I asked her something I think is very important and near and dear to my heart. She didn't answer my question.... maybe because there were thousands of other videos to scroll through. Perhaps maybe she even skipped it because the answer is more than likely yes, or maybe because it's something most people don't even really think twice about since it usually comes with such ease. But if you really truly think about each and every breath you take, I promise you, you will treat each breath as a gift... and you will Love to Breathe®. 

May is Cystic Fibrosis Month and it just so happens to be my bday month....I can't believe I am 37, May really is A•MAY•ZING!! 

So for the rest of this month I challenge you to really think about every breath you take... What would your answer to my question be? I mean, I know it would probably be yes... but if you really think about it, I'm pretty sure it's more than just a yes or no question. So if you have a chance you also should #TakeABreathForCF and support the CF Foundation and of course as always... Breathe out Love! Xo❤️

CF Superhero Saturday

I was so honored to be asked to be a part of a series of interviews Jessica Bean has put together for CF Awareness Month. The series is called CF SuperHero Series. So naturally my alter ego 'SML' Super Mucus Lady was Super excited. 

Jessica lives in Australia so it is already CF Superhero Saturday over there...

Throughout May she will be asking some of the people who inspire her in the CF community seven questions about their experience living with this disease. 

Thank you Jess for choosing me to collaborate with you on this project. You yourself are such an inspiration to me and so many!

Click below for the full interview. 

http://www.jessicabean.com.au/uncategorized/cf-superhero-somer-love/

Breathe out Love! Xo❤️

65 Roses

Have you ever wondered where the term "65 Roses" comes from.... 

The “65 Roses” story dates back to 1965 when an observant 4-year-old, hearing the name of his disease for the first time, pronounced cystic fibrosis as "65 Roses."

Today, “65 Roses” is a term often used by young children with cystic fibrosis to pronounce the name of their disease, since Cystic Fibrosis can be difficult to say. 

The "65 Roses" story has captured the hearts and emotions of all who have heard it. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Richard the boy from this story when he was awarded the Heroes of Hope Award back in May of 2008.

The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 

Breathe out Love! Xo❤️

Bonded For Life

"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same."-Anne Frank

It's a unspeakable bond I can't quite explain. An understanding, and a love that's shared deep within us all. To know each other is a blessing. We are a like in so many ways, yet so different at the same time. Each and every one of us with CF is truly one of a kind. We are ALL different yet we have one thing that connects us all that puts us in the company of some of the strongest, most amazing people. The CF community is strong, caring and committed. We fight together for one thing, and one thing only a CURE.

Our common thread isn't something you want to have, but there isn't a choice and we make the best of it. We surround ourselves with these amazing people and we stick together! Blood is thicker than water.... But mucus is thicker than both!! 

I love all my Cysters and Fibros, they mean the world to me. I'm beyond grateful and so lucky to be in the company of these amazing individuals. Please feel free to share or tag someone you love with CF. 

Breathe out Love! Xo ❤️

CF Awareness Month

Sometimes we often hear "But you don't look sick"... If only people had X-ray vision.... May is Cystic Fibrosis awareness month and it just happens to be my Birthday month...coincidence?! I think not!! 😉 

So please join me this month and let's make everyone aware... CF needs a cure! 

What is CF?! Well, CF is a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. It causes our bodies to produce a thick sticky mucus. The mucus builds up in the lungs and can lead to life threatening lung infections. 

This is my actual lung X-ray, I call these my pearly whites. The white is irreversible scarring from the thick sticky mucus and the many lung infections I have had. Both the mucus and the lung infections have resulted in loss of lung function over time, my lung function currently hovers around 27-28%. I literally think about every breath I take. 

A CFers day consists of hours of breathing treatments, airway clearance, exercise, and handful of pills, and that is just the regular maintenance for when we are healthy. We work so hard day in and day out. 

CF is inconvenient, CF is exhausting, and CF will never be easy. However, I believe CF has made me stronger, it makes me fight harder, love more, and truly appreciate life one breath at a time... CF is a blessing in an ugly disguise, it's my reality and its made me who I am today, for that I am grateful. 

I will continue to fight and do my part until that one day CF stands for CURE FOUND!!  Breathe out love! Xo ❤

YOU can make a difference

I saw this quote and I love it....  

"People wonder why I give so many compliments out to strangers. I'm not being fake and I'm not looking for people to like me. But if I pass someone and I like something, I say it. "Love those shoes!" or "Great hair!" or "Wow your eyes are beautiful!"....why? Because life is hard and this world can be a shitty place, and people are mean. You never know how much those few words mean to someone, you never know what hell they may be going through; and when you put positivity out there into the universe YOU yourself become a happier person. It's hard to be nice and be miserable yourself. It'll reflect from the outside in. I'm telling you random compliment giving will change your life; and maybe someone else's, too." 

I really love this... It's so true. We have the ability to change someone's day for the better, so why not do it?! You will find that we rise by lifting others. Be kind. Give compliments. Smile. Love more. That is what the world needs more of, be the change you want to see in this world. Your kindness can have a ripple effect, it just takes one person.... Let that person be you!! 

Breathe out Love! Xo❤️

Love To Breathe Tokens

I can't believe it's been two years since I passed out my first Love to Breathe Token. I just updated my map and I am blown away. 

My #LoveToBreatheTokens are in over 42 countries and ALL 50 states... there are a lil over 6,000 in circulation right now. 

Love To Breathe® is the legacy I have created to leave behind "The goal isn't to live forever, but to create something that will" and that is exactly my hope and wish for Love To Breathe® and my Love To Breathe Tokens. These tokens mean the absolute world to me. 

This movement has been so amazing and so rewarding to watch unfold. I am in awe at how far they have spread over these last two years. Never in a million years did I think they would have the response that they have. My goal is that everyone can be touched in some way by these tokens, and that Love To Breathe® will soon be circulating throughout 100% of the whole world, not just 21% of it. 

I created these tokens to spread more love in the world that so desperately needs it, and at the same time raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. The stories and the people I have met along this journey have been so rewarding and has filled my heart and soul with so much love. My heart smiles every time I get an email, a picture of one somewhere fun, or when I hear how one of these tokens has made such a difference to someone.... I am truly humbled and so very grateful. 

None of this would of been possible without all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has helped me spread love all over the world. Thank you for telling my story and for spreading the love and CF awareness through my tokens, it means so much to me. Keep sharing and spreading the love, together we can change the world for the better. Know that whatever you choose to do love will always follow it through!! 

Breathe out Love! Xo❤️