Phoenixville’s Jillian Absher and Grace Field meet with U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) in his Washington, D.C. office.
I’m writing to let you know that Phoenixville’s own Jillian Absher and Grace Field participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Annual Teen Advocacy Day held in Washington, D.C., on June 23.
The event included more than 75 teen advocates from around the U.S. who spoke with members of Congress and advocated for more resources dedicated to cystic fibrosis research, treatment and care on behalf of their loved ones living with CF. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that causes progressive lung damage and makes it difficult to breathe. An estimated 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 worldwide have CF.
In Washington, D.C., Jillian shared her personal experiences of watching loved ones battle this disease and explained to elected officials why it’s crucial they support the fight against CF.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to advocate on behalf of my loved ones living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Seeing someone I care about fight this disease every day has inspired me to come here today and do my part to help everyone who lives with CF,” said Jillian Absher. “My goal was to gain support for strong funding for the NIH and FDA in Fiscal Year 2017 and ask every member of Congress that I met with in Washington to join the House-Senate Cystic Fibrosis Caucus.”
