"As you pursue your dreams of higher education, describe what changes you would like to see in the CF community. What steps would you take to initiate these changes?"

As I have grown and progressed throughout high school, I have learned how much easier it is to fight cystic fibrosis when you have the support of those around you. For me, this support has come from my family, close friends, coaches and teammates. However, prior to senior year, not many people knew about my diagnosis. This changed after a couple of articles were written about my battle with CF during the football season, and many of my teammates came to me and expressed their support. As I enter the next chapter of my life in college, I am hopeful that more athletic organizations become involved and educated on cystic fibrosis. Sports have always been one of the most important ways for how I would deal with my diagnosis, and I know this is true for many other patients as well. Having the support of your teammates and their families really does make a difference. If more athletic organizations at the local level can become involved with the CF community, this could spark a chain reaction of support. This support would encourage more individuals battling cystic fibrosis to become involved in different athletic organizations, and also prove how with more support, the battle does get easier. I will be involved with the football team at Bentley University next year, and I will look to initiate involvement with the CF community. Sports have always brought people together, and I am confident that this is also true for cystic fibrosis. http://www.capecodtimes.com/sports/20171019/football-life-former-barnstable-waterboy-helps-energize-monomoy-team