About the artist

Shelby Luebbert is a 33-year-old from Saint Louis, Missouri, and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis with two relatively rare mutations (N1303k, 2184insA) just after her first birthday. Growing up relatively healthy, with things taking a drastic turn around age 21, she has developed a broad range of knowledge when it comes to CF, along with autoimmune conditions. Her background includes being a certified pharmacy tech, advocating for the final 10%, and working on many opportunities within the CF community, which include: the Genetic Therapies Working Group, other local and national committees, and being a speaker for a handful of CF projects. Shelby was also the 2024 Alex Award Winner. When she’s not devoting her time to her own health and advocacy, she enjoys genealogy with her mom, margaritas with friends, and being a part of her family's interest in classic car restoration and racing.

About the design

We’re all connected by a disease.. but the pages in our story book shed light to so much more. No matter our mutation combo; we are classified into brackets. Class 1-5.. from splicing to gating mutations.. from mild to severe manifestations. With that said.. our lives are all drastically different and amazing. Whether you feel like you’re dominating life.. or are struggling with hard health news.. We are defying the odds stacked against us by past science. We are achieving big or small dreams we only fantasized about. We all have something unique about us & our journey that gives a picture to the scientific terminology that binds us together. We are teachers & graduates.. friends & parents.. chefs & dancers. We are planning for our futures and also appreciating the good times we are able to achieve, even if only a tiny glimmer in our day. Our stories make who we are that much more magical. This conference is for that - No matter the place in life that you’re at. I hope this overview of my vision speaks to you like it did me. We are so much more than a disease.