Pictured on Right (Left to Right) Jerry Cahill with Lisa Yourman, Dr. Joan Germana and Boomer Esiason.
Heroes of Hope Award Photo Gallery
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This Story appeared in Heroes of Hope Blog…
Heroes of Hope – Living with CF
49-Year-Old Brooklyn, New York Resident with Cystic Fibrosis Receives National Award
The Heroes of Hope TM Living with CF Program Advisory Panel is pleased to announce Jerry Cahill as the January 2006 award recipient in recognition of his positive attitude and tenacious spirit, The Heroes of Hope program honors people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who give hope to others. Jerry was chosen from a nationwide pool of candidates for his ability to inspire others with CF through his positive attitude, commitment to proactively manage his health, determination, community outreach, and achievement.
Jerry states:
“I wanted to thank the Heroes of Hope Committee and Genentech – makers of Pulmozyme – for this honor?
“I also wanted to thank my family, friends, doctors, and the Boomer Esiason Foundation for ALL your support?
“I share this award with every person with cystic fibrosis that is living, breathing, and fighting everyday to win the battle with this disease?
For questions regarding the Heroes of Hope – Living with CF program, please call 1-866-288-1893
Or visit the web site: http://www.pulmozyme.com/hoh/hoh_landing.jsp
Jerry’s Speech
HEROES OF HOPE (Living with CF)
I wanted to thank the HEROES OF HOPE Committee and Genentech – makers of Pulmozyme – for this honor…
I also wanted to thank my family & friends, doctors, and the Boomer Esiason Foundation for all your support…
In the past I have received awards for pole vaulting over 16’0? and increasing sales volume from $26M to $29M but it is a little eye-opening to get an award related to “living with a disease?… so I thought about it and looked up the definition of “HERO? in my Webster’s pocket dictionary.
Hero – one that is much admired or shows great courage.
This award needs to be shared with many…
1.) I share this with every person with cystic fibrosis that is living, breathing, and fighting for survival as it takes a lot of courage & work both physically and emotionally.
2.) My family, in particular my MOM, they are all heroes as they had to deal with a lot on a daily basis growing up…I remember being diagnosed at age 11 and the doctors telling my parents “you are lucky if your son lives to be 18 years old?, WELL… I am 49 and still here today and don’t plan on loosing the battle with CF any day soon. I owe a lot to my family because they never put me in a bubble and kept me very involved in sports – I thank you…
3.) My sister Laurie and friend Mike who help me out alot when I need extra physical therapy when I am sick and really should be in the hospital – thank you
4.) My doctors… I had and have many – one past away, one retired, and some never partnered up with me so I moved on
Dr. Schulman, who I have been with for over 7 years – he has been a great partner and deals with a lot of issues – he has his hands full with me as I am not an easy patient – I thank you, it’s a delight working with you as a doctor – I consider you a friend
5.) The Boomer Esiason Foundation for your support and giving me a “safe haven? by letting me volunteer and empowering me as I await a Lung transplant.
That leads me to the definition of HOPE…
HOPE – desire with expectation of fulfillment
In receiving this award, my hope is that PARENTS of children with CF will NOT feel guilty and NOT cover their loved one in bubble wrap but let them live life to the fullest!
And for individuals living with CF my hope is that ALL will be very compliant to there medications/therapies and get involved in VIGOROUS EXERCISE on a daily basis.
I believe, that through daily exercise, everyone with cystic fibrosis will be LIVING, BREATHING PROOF that can have a full and productive life while we wait for a cure.
THANK YOU
