About the Design
"In my drawing, the branches are in the shape of lungs, stemming from the main bronchi. The roses, not only being symbols of CF, are also symbols of flourishing life in lungs stricken with illness. Despite the dying tissues of scarred lungs from infections, there is still beautiful life within each person that has CF. Our roses bloom with each battle we face and win, to live to enjoy the next day and appreciate all it has to offer. It is also a tribute to all those that have lost their battle with CF, that their roses may continue to bloom through the way they’ve impacted each of our lives. And lastly, it’s a reminder for all of us that still fight, that we may take on each challenging day with a smile. May we strive to never take a moment for granted, to enjoy the little seemingly insignificant details of our lives, and to make every breath count! Cystic fibrosis is the greatest blessing and the greatest curse in my life, obviously affecting me daily yet it provides the most inspiration."
About the Artist
Ella Balasa is 30 years old and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 18 months old. She was born and raised in Richmond, Va., and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in biology in 2014. She works part-time as a lab manager in an environmental microbiology laboratory at the university. Studying antibiotic resistance among ubiquitous environmental microbes that can also reside in CF patients’ lungs is a fascinating and a fulfilling job. Ella has become deeply involved in the CF community, including serving as a director of the United States Adult CF Association, has been a member of various research committees, including the CF Foundation Infection Research Steering Committee and was a co-chair for the inaugural virtual research conference, ResearchCon 2019. Ella also has a passion for writing. She has a column on CF News Today and contributes to the CF Foundation blog. When she is not working, volunteering, writing, or taking care of her health, she enjoys cooking, drawing, spending time with friends, and traveling as much as she can.