On January 22, one of my childhood friends lost his lifelong battle with CF. He was an incredible friend to many, an irreplaceable son to his parents, and one of the most courageous men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing... His name is Jason, and he, at the age of 32 is no longer with us thanks to the horrible beast we call CF.

Monday morning I attended his funeral... I watched all of his childhood friends, high school friends, college friends, neighbors, ect... cry their eyes out and it just amazed me how one person could affect the lives of so many. God Bless Him and his family. May Jason J. Rossow rest in peace.

After the funeral, while I was sulking in my own tears, I remembered another friend of mine... an internet friend that I had the pleasure of meeting through a message board that I frequent. HIS name is Pete. Pete has a son, Dylan, who at the ripe old age of (I believe it's) five, is struggling everyday of his life with CF. Pete has put forth a crusade against this horrible beast of a disease. He absolutely REFUSES to let his son die without a fight.

If there's one thing that I've learned from losing someone to CF, it's that we're not fighting hard enough to fund research for a cure...

In honor of my friend Jason John Rossow, I post this message:

God Bless you, Jas. I will do everything in my power to make sure that your loss of life was not in vain. And Dylan? I'm joining your parent's fight against CF.

Thank you, and God Bless!!!

Teresa Ward
Michigan


[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-24-2002).]

Hello I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I have 2 daughters with cf Audrey 4 and Meleah 2 there a both doing well and are amazing the doctors every time they go. As a parent it is my worst fear that I will out live my babies, but with people like you I know that there will be a cure! Keep your word to your friend and stay close to his parents their going to need you. God Bless...

I just feel that we're not doing enough... this disease CAN be conquered. I cannot fathom having a child with CF. It not only takes brave children, but brave parents. My prayers are with you and your family, Steve.

Just remember... we CAN do this. We just need to get active on funding research.

God Bless you Steve, and everyone you know.

Thank you for your reply.

------ Teresa


Jason, I'll never give up!


[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-24-2002).]