To Wendy on her 49th birthday.

Dear Wendy, 

Today we would have celebrated your 49^th birthday. That’s crazy, right? I wanted to tell you about my year as I do every year on your birthday, and let you know regarding progress against cystic fibrosis. First off, we had another successful Wish for Wendy. Rain once again was expected all day but for the most part it held off. I know who I can thank for that. We grossed about $370,000 and our cumulative total surpassed $4.5 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We are looking at expanding Wish for Wendy and making it something even bigger but I’m still trying to figure things out. I just wanted you to know your legacy will be kept intact. I know I owe you my life and I will make sure to return the favor every day by never taking a moment for granted. 

Some of the goals I have for CF advocacy are to continue pushing for other countries to have the same access to life-saving drugs we in the United States are fortunate to have. I also want to keep on writing books to inspire people. The CF Warrior Project was very successful and is something I will make more than a book. I want it to be a movement. I want it to bring hope to those who so desperately need it.

On another note, we have lost some good people this year to the disease as we always do. Sadly, there are too many to mention. Please look out for them.

As far as how I’m doing, things are really good. I have been traveling a little bit to spread the word about The CF Warrior Project. We did The Today Show this year. I was really nervous only because I wasn’t there for just me. If it was just me, I could be a total cut-up and not worry about it but I’m doing my best to advocate for others with this disease. I think it went pretty well. The crazy thing is the same day I was on the show, a new drug called Trikafta was FDA approved and this is the first one that I can actually take. In fact, 90% of the CF population is eligible. Unfortunately, that means we need to find something for the other 10% but at least we are making progress and science is definitely amazing!

I started the drug on Sunday, November 24, and while it took a few days to notice any changes, I’m now reaping the rewards for 46 years of staying compliant and working hard in my fight against CF. My lung function was up five points after just two weeks, which is crazy to me. My mucus is clear. I can take a deep breath. Food tastes differently. Things smell differently. I feel like I’m in a different body.

None of our Atlanta sports teams won a championship again this year though I will mention that Ethan’s baseball team got all the way to the championship game before my coaching caught up to the team. Ha! Ha! By the way, he’s doing well. It’s crazy that he had a stroke when he was born but despite that, he is excelling. Remember his Hebrew name is after you. He is now playing travel baseball and basketball. He’s a very good tennis player, too. He’s improving in school and working really hard. We are so proud of him. Can you believe he’s already 11??? 

And then there’s Avery. Her softball career may have come to an end. She played all three years for her middle school and played more than a half dozen seasons of recreational ball. She is now 13 and a beautiful young lady. She is still kicking ass fighting her nut allergies. She has become so brave with all of the things she has to deal with. Still, she’s a teenager so she’s definitely letting me know things unfiltered. Ha! ha! She had her bat mitzvah in March and did a terrific job. She knocked it out of the park. I can’t show her my bar mitzvah video now because she’ll know she did so much better than me. Let me add that she doesn’t even want to see it because she says it will be boring. Whatever! She is performing really well in school and will be in high school next year, if you can believe it. 

Andrea is doing great. She is now doing exceptional board work for Jewish Home Life and the Bremen home. She’s also an amazing tennis player and as you know like you and me, she is an absolute warrior. I’m so proud of her. We lost her mom Roberta this year. It was on Avery’s birthday and a month before her bat mitzvah. It was very difficult. Andrea has remained so strong throughout but I know it has to be so hard for her. Her mom was a great person and was so selfless. Her heart was her biggest asset and we think of her every day.

Emily is doing well. She is doing a lot of philanthropy now. She did a ton for Wish for Wendy, too. She is back living in Atlanta and she has really connected with Avery, which is great. Avery needs a cool family member, other than her mom of course. I’m the opposite of cool. Would that be lukewarm? Who knows? 

Mom and Dad are great. They celebrated their 50^th anniversary this year!!! Emily threw them an amazing party. Dad continues working to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis and Mom continues to do a ton of work for our charity. They are both two of the most philanthropic people I know.

Well, I don’t want to keep you so happy 49^th birthday. How are we going to celebrate number 50 next year? I know I haven’t seen you in my dreams for many years but if you have a chance, drop me a hint of how we can really celebrate this one and at the same time make a difference for others. Also, if you could let me know what to get the kids and Andrea for Hanukkah, I would greatly appreciate it. As far as what I want for Hanukkah, a cure for cystic fibrosis would be nice. But if you can’t pull that off, just one sports championship for my Braves, Falcons, Hawks or Bulldogs. Please! If you can’t do it for me, do it for Ethan. I don’t want him to blame me for giving him the worst sports teams on this planet.

Anyway, I love you so much! Thanks as always for showing me the way.

Love,
Your Little Bro, Andy