Julia Ruggirello - St. Claire Shores, Michigan
Julia is a May 2014 graduate of Michigan State University. She received her degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities. Julia is now completing the Teacher Certification element of her program which requires that she spend a year as a student teacher intern. This fall Julia will intern at Maire Elementary in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She will spend the fall semester in a fifth grade classroom and the spring semester in a special education resource room. She is considering studies for a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling after completion of the Teacher Certification. Julia was involved in many extracurricular activities while at MSU. She was selected by the President of MSU to serve on an advisory committee that focused on disability issues in the University community. She recently founded Spartans Fighting Cystic Fibrosis, which works to raise funds and awareness for CF on campus and in the greater Lansing area. Julia was a member of the University’s Student Council for Exceptional Children, and a member of Kappa Delta Phi, an educational honor society. This is her fourth ENF award.
Amanda Helderle - St. Louis, Missouri
Amanda is a senior at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO working towards her BS in Social Work with a minor in Public Policy. She hopes to continue work towards her Masters in Social Work by participating in Saint Louis University’s accelerated Masters Program. Amanda has previously worked as a volunteer advocate for neglected and abused children in the St. Louis area. Her main goal is making the world a better place in small ways. She hopes to eventually work as a social worker focused on children with special needs and their families, groups who often go overlooked. Amanda’s volunteer work includes feeding homeless individuals and building awareness of CF and organ donation. She is the Vice President and a Board member of Second Wind Lung Transplant Association of St. Louis, which provides assistance with medical expenses and a support group for those awaiting lung transplants. Amanda enjoys exercising, yoga, cooking, reading, enjoying life and spending time with her two enormous dogs, Louie and Kodi. She is grateful for the many blessings she has received and hopes to help improve the lives of those she encounters.
John Pickering - Sumanee, Georgia
John is a senior at The University of Georgia in Athens, GA majoring in Biology/Pre-Medical. He hopes to enter medical school in the fall of 2015. In 2014 he was elected to UGA's pre-medical honor society, and the Order of Omega, a Greek leadership honor society. John is motivated to become a doctor by the great healthcare he has received, and he hopes to return that service to others as well as continue his family’s strong advocacy for CF programs. He’s currently on the Executive Committee of Alpha Tau Omega, and was instrumental in ensuring that ATO's spring philanthropy will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in perpetuity. John is a founding board member of two CF fundraising programs in his community: Curefinders and Kids Playing for a Cure Golf Tournament. This is John’s fourth ENF award.
Anna Tyson - Lakewood, Colorado
Anna Tyson is a junior at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is part of the Individualized Degree Program emphasizing her study in Patient Advocacy. She is also pursuing a minor in English Literature. In 2012, Anna was invited to participate as a patient advisor to a joint committee between the University of Colorado Hospital and National Jewish. The committee’s purpose was to improve the care of cystic fibrosis patients, which the two hospitals cared for jointly. That experience helped to form her decision to pursue a career as a patient advocate. Anna's other passions include her two children, reading, and exercising. She is an annual participant in the Great Strides walk and active in many church activities including mission work.
Alexis Collins - Brownstown, Indiana
Alexis is a sophomore studying nursing at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN. She has already earned her Certified Nurse Assistant credential so that she can work in healthcare to gain practical experience and has volunteer experience at a local facility, Schneck Medical Center. Her goal is to work in an intensive care unit providing the type of care that she would like to receive for herself as a patient or for her family. She is a 10 year member of 4-H serving as President, Vice President and Health and Safety Officer. Alexis is active in the CF community, serving as a committee member and team leader of her local Great Strides walk. A three year member of her high school tennis team, she now swims and runs to keep in shape and maintain her health.
Lauren Smith - Lakewood, New York
Lauren recently graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo with a BS in Speech and Hearing Handicapped and a minor in Psychology. She is now studying for a Doctorate of Audiology at the University at Buffalo. Lauren has taken an active role in the Cystic Fibrosis community. She founded “Send a Smile to Cystic Fibrosis,” an initiative that recruits student organizations to create greeting cards for children with CF who are currently hospitalized in Buffalo. Lauren also helps to organize and participates in her local Great Strides event each year, does fundraisers for CFF on her college campus, and has taken part in several clinical studies at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. She was fortunate enough to have participated in the trial stages of the newly FDA-approved drug called Kalydeco which helps treat patients who have a certain mutation of the CF gene. Although Kalydeco is not a cure, thanks to this new medication Lauren’s health has improved which enables her to focus on studies, planning for the future, and participation in the activities she enjoys most. This is Lauren’s second ENF award.
Caroline Fields - Birmingham, Alabama
Caroline Fields is a freshman at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Fashion Retail at the Commerce & Business Administration School of Business. She plans to become active in her city as a small business owner in the fashion industry. Caroline is inspired by the businesses of Birmingham and their unified support for causes such as Cystic Fibrosis at her regional research hospitals. She wants to be part of that support network as a small business owner. Caroline has been a Great Strides team leader for several years and was recognized as a Top Strider by CFF. She is a participant in clinical research for new CF drugs, including Kalydeco.
Mackenzie Guilford - Defiance, Ohio
Mackenzie is a freshman at the University of Findlay in Findlay, OH. She is enrolled in a 5+ year program to earn a Masters in Occupational Therapy with plans to pursue a doctorate in that field. She hopes to improve the lives of those with illnesses or life threatening diseases drawing from her personal experiences with CF. In high school, Mackenzie was Vice President of her class for four years, class representative for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), a member of the National Honor Society and was valedictorian of her class. Mackenzie participated in both cross country and track and earned four varsity letters in each. Running is a significant aspect of her life as well as a form of respiratory therapy. Mackenzie wants to share this passion by becoming a running coach. Mackenzie is active in the community volunteering for organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Defiance Public Library, local food pantries, and the House of Ruth (for victims of abuse).
Mychael O’Brien – Marietta, Georgia
Mychael is a sophomore at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL majoring in Elementary Education and Dance. Her goal is to work with 1st or 2nd graders and instill in them the belief that accomplishment and success come from hard work and determination. She credits her own elementary school teachers for giving her this mindset which helps her struggle with CF. Mychael also wants to continue to teach dance at night. She keeps herself in shape by taking dance classes, teaching dance, and teaching several zumba classes. Her favorite zumba class to teach is every Monday at her sorority house. She has been active in her community by performing at local nursing homes, elementary schools, parades, and festivals. Mychael also has a love for singing, acting and choreographing for community plays. She intends to prove that CF cannot stop her from her dreams and wants to be an example to children with CF or any other serious disease.
Abby Lewis - Santa Clara, California
Abby is a junior at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA, double majoring in Psychology and Communications. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in counseling psychology which she plans to use working with children who have experienced misfortune in their lives whether in health or social aspects. Abby participates in many extra-curricular activities to keep in shape. She plays on the nationally ranked club lacrosse team at Santa Clara, and she also runs to train for upcoming marathons. Abby is very active in her school community participating in clubs, on-campus activities, and doing community service working with children in an after school program. Abby is certified in first aid, CPR and operation of AED. She and her family raise funds for CFF. This is Abby’s second ENF award.
Gloria Prestwick - Provo, Utah
Gloria is a freshman at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. She is studying Visual Arts with emphases in Photography and Dance. Her career goals include becoming a secondary education teacher, expanding the photography business she started a year ago, and continuing to coach and teach dance, cheer and tumbling. Gloria has been a publicity model for the Great Strides walk for many years. She has also participated in clinical trials for developing CF drugs. Gloria is very active in community service as a volunteer for CFF, Make a Wish Foundation, Intermountain Organ Donor Services, Celestia Foundation for Pakistani earthquake relief, local food banks and soup kitchens, and numerous church projects. She has served as president of her young women church group and has been a youth camp leader for the past 4 summers.
Morgan Henry - Franklin, North Carolina
Morgan is a freshman at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC majoring in Respiratory Therapy. She plans to earn her Bachelors degree from Western Carolina University. Her goal is to work in a hospital environment as a respiratory therapist or to continue her education to teach RT. Morgan took honors classes in high school and graduated with High Honors. She was a varsity cheerleader for 3 years and captain for 2 years. She was also an active volunteer in her community with 4 years of service to Habitat for Humanity, 4 years participation in Relay for Life, service as a math and science tutor, and work in an adult day care center. Morgan wants people to know “ I am a girl with courage, integrity, intelligence, motivation, strength, spirit, ambition, and faith. I am a girl with Cystic Fibrosis.”
Casey Cooper - Greenville, Michigan
Casey is a junior majoring in Social Work at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. She was influenced to enter the field of social work by the social workers at her CF clinic. After earning a bachelor's degree at FSU, Casey plans to apply to the University of Michigan advanced standing Masters of Social Work program. Casey’s career goal is to be a grant writer for underserved communities. She wants to do community assessments, learn the unique needs of community members, and then write grants to help alleviate issues of poverty, homelessness and hunger. Casey served as the Vice President of FSU's Social Work Association (SWA) last year, and will serve as this year's President. SWA helps bring events to campus that promote social justice and increase awareness of topics such as domestic violence. SWA also hosts can/bottle/food drives, and actively volunteers in the Big Rapids community. Casey served as captain of the Great Strides CF Walk for her team for three years, and was a captain of SWA's Relay for Life team last spring. She is currently a volunteer at an agency in her hometown that works to find permanent living places for the homeless.
Phillip Austin - Evans, Georgia
Phillip is a junior at Georgia Regents University in Augusta, GA majoring in Business and Finance. After earning his undergraduate degree, Phillip plans to enroll in the University of Georgia to pursue a law degree and practice with an emphasis on patient advocacy. He points to experience gained from his own hospitalizations as invaluable to his chosen career. Phillip is very active in community matters . He is a frequent participant in the Relay for Life and the Jimmy V Foundation (for cancer). He is a participant and speaker at the Great Strides walk, and has been a committee member, speaker and participant at two CF golf tournaments for several years. Phillip also worked for the Honduras Missions.
Julia is a May 2014 graduate of Michigan State University. She received her degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities. Julia is now completing the Teacher Certification element of her program which requires that she spend a year as a student teacher intern. This fall Julia will intern at Maire Elementary in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She will spend the fall semester in a fifth grade classroom and the spring semester in a special education resource room. She is considering studies for a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling after completion of the Teacher Certification. Julia was involved in many extracurricular activities while at MSU. She was selected by the President of MSU to serve on an advisory committee that focused on disability issues in the University community. She recently founded Spartans Fighting Cystic Fibrosis, which works to raise funds and awareness for CF on campus and in the greater Lansing area. Julia was a member of the University’s Student Council for Exceptional Children, and a member of Kappa Delta Phi, an educational honor society. This is her fourth ENF award.
Amanda Helderle - St. Louis, Missouri
Amanda is a senior at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO working towards her BS in Social Work with a minor in Public Policy. She hopes to continue work towards her Masters in Social Work by participating in Saint Louis University’s accelerated Masters Program. Amanda has previously worked as a volunteer advocate for neglected and abused children in the St. Louis area. Her main goal is making the world a better place in small ways. She hopes to eventually work as a social worker focused on children with special needs and their families, groups who often go overlooked. Amanda’s volunteer work includes feeding homeless individuals and building awareness of CF and organ donation. She is the Vice President and a Board member of Second Wind Lung Transplant Association of St. Louis, which provides assistance with medical expenses and a support group for those awaiting lung transplants. Amanda enjoys exercising, yoga, cooking, reading, enjoying life and spending time with her two enormous dogs, Louie and Kodi. She is grateful for the many blessings she has received and hopes to help improve the lives of those she encounters.
John Pickering - Sumanee, Georgia
John is a senior at The University of Georgia in Athens, GA majoring in Biology/Pre-Medical. He hopes to enter medical school in the fall of 2015. In 2014 he was elected to UGA's pre-medical honor society, and the Order of Omega, a Greek leadership honor society. John is motivated to become a doctor by the great healthcare he has received, and he hopes to return that service to others as well as continue his family’s strong advocacy for CF programs. He’s currently on the Executive Committee of Alpha Tau Omega, and was instrumental in ensuring that ATO's spring philanthropy will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in perpetuity. John is a founding board member of two CF fundraising programs in his community: Curefinders and Kids Playing for a Cure Golf Tournament. This is John’s fourth ENF award.
Anna Tyson - Lakewood, Colorado
Anna Tyson is a junior at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is part of the Individualized Degree Program emphasizing her study in Patient Advocacy. She is also pursuing a minor in English Literature. In 2012, Anna was invited to participate as a patient advisor to a joint committee between the University of Colorado Hospital and National Jewish. The committee’s purpose was to improve the care of cystic fibrosis patients, which the two hospitals cared for jointly. That experience helped to form her decision to pursue a career as a patient advocate. Anna's other passions include her two children, reading, and exercising. She is an annual participant in the Great Strides walk and active in many church activities including mission work.
Alexis Collins - Brownstown, Indiana
Alexis is a sophomore studying nursing at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN. She has already earned her Certified Nurse Assistant credential so that she can work in healthcare to gain practical experience and has volunteer experience at a local facility, Schneck Medical Center. Her goal is to work in an intensive care unit providing the type of care that she would like to receive for herself as a patient or for her family. She is a 10 year member of 4-H serving as President, Vice President and Health and Safety Officer. Alexis is active in the CF community, serving as a committee member and team leader of her local Great Strides walk. A three year member of her high school tennis team, she now swims and runs to keep in shape and maintain her health.
Lauren Smith - Lakewood, New York
Lauren recently graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo with a BS in Speech and Hearing Handicapped and a minor in Psychology. She is now studying for a Doctorate of Audiology at the University at Buffalo. Lauren has taken an active role in the Cystic Fibrosis community. She founded “Send a Smile to Cystic Fibrosis,” an initiative that recruits student organizations to create greeting cards for children with CF who are currently hospitalized in Buffalo. Lauren also helps to organize and participates in her local Great Strides event each year, does fundraisers for CFF on her college campus, and has taken part in several clinical studies at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. She was fortunate enough to have participated in the trial stages of the newly FDA-approved drug called Kalydeco which helps treat patients who have a certain mutation of the CF gene. Although Kalydeco is not a cure, thanks to this new medication Lauren’s health has improved which enables her to focus on studies, planning for the future, and participation in the activities she enjoys most. This is Lauren’s second ENF award.
Caroline Fields - Birmingham, Alabama
Caroline Fields is a freshman at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Fashion Retail at the Commerce & Business Administration School of Business. She plans to become active in her city as a small business owner in the fashion industry. Caroline is inspired by the businesses of Birmingham and their unified support for causes such as Cystic Fibrosis at her regional research hospitals. She wants to be part of that support network as a small business owner. Caroline has been a Great Strides team leader for several years and was recognized as a Top Strider by CFF. She is a participant in clinical research for new CF drugs, including Kalydeco.
Mackenzie Guilford - Defiance, Ohio
Mackenzie is a freshman at the University of Findlay in Findlay, OH. She is enrolled in a 5+ year program to earn a Masters in Occupational Therapy with plans to pursue a doctorate in that field. She hopes to improve the lives of those with illnesses or life threatening diseases drawing from her personal experiences with CF. In high school, Mackenzie was Vice President of her class for four years, class representative for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), a member of the National Honor Society and was valedictorian of her class. Mackenzie participated in both cross country and track and earned four varsity letters in each. Running is a significant aspect of her life as well as a form of respiratory therapy. Mackenzie wants to share this passion by becoming a running coach. Mackenzie is active in the community volunteering for organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Defiance Public Library, local food pantries, and the House of Ruth (for victims of abuse).
Mychael O’Brien – Marietta, Georgia
Mychael is a sophomore at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL majoring in Elementary Education and Dance. Her goal is to work with 1st or 2nd graders and instill in them the belief that accomplishment and success come from hard work and determination. She credits her own elementary school teachers for giving her this mindset which helps her struggle with CF. Mychael also wants to continue to teach dance at night. She keeps herself in shape by taking dance classes, teaching dance, and teaching several zumba classes. Her favorite zumba class to teach is every Monday at her sorority house. She has been active in her community by performing at local nursing homes, elementary schools, parades, and festivals. Mychael also has a love for singing, acting and choreographing for community plays. She intends to prove that CF cannot stop her from her dreams and wants to be an example to children with CF or any other serious disease.
Abby Lewis - Santa Clara, California
Abby is a junior at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA, double majoring in Psychology and Communications. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in counseling psychology which she plans to use working with children who have experienced misfortune in their lives whether in health or social aspects. Abby participates in many extra-curricular activities to keep in shape. She plays on the nationally ranked club lacrosse team at Santa Clara, and she also runs to train for upcoming marathons. Abby is very active in her school community participating in clubs, on-campus activities, and doing community service working with children in an after school program. Abby is certified in first aid, CPR and operation of AED. She and her family raise funds for CFF. This is Abby’s second ENF award.
Gloria Prestwick - Provo, Utah
Gloria is a freshman at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. She is studying Visual Arts with emphases in Photography and Dance. Her career goals include becoming a secondary education teacher, expanding the photography business she started a year ago, and continuing to coach and teach dance, cheer and tumbling. Gloria has been a publicity model for the Great Strides walk for many years. She has also participated in clinical trials for developing CF drugs. Gloria is very active in community service as a volunteer for CFF, Make a Wish Foundation, Intermountain Organ Donor Services, Celestia Foundation for Pakistani earthquake relief, local food banks and soup kitchens, and numerous church projects. She has served as president of her young women church group and has been a youth camp leader for the past 4 summers.
Morgan Henry - Franklin, North Carolina
Morgan is a freshman at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC majoring in Respiratory Therapy. She plans to earn her Bachelors degree from Western Carolina University. Her goal is to work in a hospital environment as a respiratory therapist or to continue her education to teach RT. Morgan took honors classes in high school and graduated with High Honors. She was a varsity cheerleader for 3 years and captain for 2 years. She was also an active volunteer in her community with 4 years of service to Habitat for Humanity, 4 years participation in Relay for Life, service as a math and science tutor, and work in an adult day care center. Morgan wants people to know “ I am a girl with courage, integrity, intelligence, motivation, strength, spirit, ambition, and faith. I am a girl with Cystic Fibrosis.”
Casey Cooper - Greenville, Michigan
Casey is a junior majoring in Social Work at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI. She was influenced to enter the field of social work by the social workers at her CF clinic. After earning a bachelor's degree at FSU, Casey plans to apply to the University of Michigan advanced standing Masters of Social Work program. Casey’s career goal is to be a grant writer for underserved communities. She wants to do community assessments, learn the unique needs of community members, and then write grants to help alleviate issues of poverty, homelessness and hunger. Casey served as the Vice President of FSU's Social Work Association (SWA) last year, and will serve as this year's President. SWA helps bring events to campus that promote social justice and increase awareness of topics such as domestic violence. SWA also hosts can/bottle/food drives, and actively volunteers in the Big Rapids community. Casey served as captain of the Great Strides CF Walk for her team for three years, and was a captain of SWA's Relay for Life team last spring. She is currently a volunteer at an agency in her hometown that works to find permanent living places for the homeless.
Phillip Austin - Evans, Georgia
Phillip is a junior at Georgia Regents University in Augusta, GA majoring in Business and Finance. After earning his undergraduate degree, Phillip plans to enroll in the University of Georgia to pursue a law degree and practice with an emphasis on patient advocacy. He points to experience gained from his own hospitalizations as invaluable to his chosen career. Phillip is very active in community matters . He is a frequent participant in the Relay for Life and the Jimmy V Foundation (for cancer). He is a participant and speaker at the Great Strides walk, and has been a committee member, speaker and participant at two CF golf tournaments for several years. Phillip also worked for the Honduras Missions.