Spinning for Dan is an event hosted by two good friends that I have come across through my journey Devin Featherstone and Elise Miles. The reason for this event is to raise awareness towards Cystic Fibrosis and raise donations to help end Cystic Fibrosis. Please take the time and read how I have influenced Elise life.
There comes a time in your life when you meet someone who is so inspirational, that it almost takes your breath away. Dan Pfaff is that person to me. Dan was born with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects most critically the lungs. Take a drinking straw, wrap your lips around it, plug your nose and take a deep breath. That’s the best description of what it would feel like to live with CF. I have had a friendship with Dan since I was in grade seven. He is a year older than I am, and when my family moved from Calgary to Toronto Dan took me under his wing. I’m sure everyone can appreciate the challenges that can occur when you are a girl in grade seven, 5’8” and move across the country. Dan was my saving grace. CF has given Dan a few allergies, including those to cats; which my family has always had a love affair with. When I was living in Ontario, we had a small amount of three cats and a golden retriever. That didn’t stop Dan from countless sleepovers, ventilator in hand. By the time I had reached grade nine, my family’s bags were repacked and we headed back out west, leaving Ontario behind. By this time, Dan’s lungs had already been destroyed by CF and he was on the waiting list to receive a double lung transplant. When the time finally came, he courageously made his way through the healing process. Eight years later, and he was back on the waiting list to receive a second double lung transplant. Well, on March 22, 2010, the time came again and he made it through. It has been eleven years since Dan received his first double lung transplant and three years since he received his second. The difference between Dan and most people is that all the while he has been going through this, the hospital visits, the surgeries, and the medicine; I have not once heard him complain about how unfair life can be. It has been fourteen years since I was living in Ontario and first came into contact with Dan, although we don’t see each other often he still remains one of the most impactful people in my life. My fiancé Devin Featherstone has taken it upon him to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis. On April 27th, 2013 he will be placing a stationary bike in the store front window of Lululemon south center and spinning from store open until store close. We are inviting anyone who is free for a few hours to stop by and learn more about cystic fibrosis make a donation and give Devin a wave or a cheer of encouragement. A cure for CF might not be found in our lifetime, but the least we can do is try to increase the life span of someone who lives daily with cystic fibrosis. Dan Pfaff is my hero and I encourage him to be yours. On April 27th, 2013 we are going to spin for him.
DangerDan 