Mara is from New Jersey and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. She has been advocating on behalf of the CF community since she was in grade school, when someone asked what her pancreatic enzymes were. Currently a Quinnipiac University Bobcat, she is studying strategic communications and film. In her spare time, Mara enjoys throwing a frisbee for her dog (but then fetching it herself because her dog’s really not that into it).

Jennifer is the proud mother of four busy children; two of her boys, who are 9 and 7 years old, live full lives with cystic fibrosis. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Utah Valley University. She taught two years in the Alpine school district before becoming a full-time mom. For the last seven years, Jenn has been active in the Intermountain Cystic Fibrosis Parents’ Advisory Council and is currently serving as the Chair Elect. She has spoken at the Mountain West Cystic Fibrosis Conference, NACFC, and advocates for CF rights at the state level. Jenn and the Gray family live in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

Charlie Lahr is 54 years old, resides in Denver, Colo. , and works as an Account Manager for HP, Inc. His oldest sister, Linda, has CF. Having a close relationship with Linda, who is now 57, Charlie has had an up-close perspective on not only how CF evolves, but more importantly on how their relationship has grown. Charlie looks forward to sharing his unique experience, hearing from others and discussing how family members serve as an integral part of the CF support system.

Josh considers himself an 8-year-old kid trapped inside an nearly 40-year-old body. He’s an emotional, empathetic soul who over-shares and tries to help everyone he can. Josh is also a perfectly imperfect husband, father and human being who tries to be a better person than the day before. As someone living with CF, Josh is an optimistic realist who believes in respecting everyone’s personal journey with this challenging condition.

Carl Riedy and his spouse, Judy, are parents of three married, adult children, including Chad, who was diagnosed with CF at 3 years old, when life expectancy was 12. Today, Chad is 41, married to Julie, the father of Liam and Tate and gainfully employed. Our journey has been an incredible one, full of fear, hope, challenges, progress and success. Carl and his wife have been involved with the Foundation for over 35 years. Together, they co-chaired an annual fundraiser at the local level for 22 years and support Great Strides and Rose Up. Carl is currently engaged in multiple roles at the national and local levels. He is a member of the National Volunteer Leadership Council, serves on the National Outreach Committee and has been on the FamilyCon Planning Committee since its inception. He also served as the parent representative on the Advanced Lung Disease Guideline Committee. Carl is on the Metro DC Chapter Board, as both the Advocacy and Outreach Chair and is a member of the Fairfax Inova CF Adult Care Center Patient and Family Advisory Board.