Gloria Kitchen (1978-2010)

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Gloria Kitchen was lucky enough to be born in 1978, a time when scientific research and practices were most advantageous for children born with cystic fibrosis. In this time before genetic testing however, Gloria was not diagnosed at birth despite having an older sibling with this disease. The common sweat test for cystic fibrosis was not entirely reliabl

Once positively diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 7, Gloria began a similar treatment pattern to that of her older brother Thomas. Living with CF included daily physical therapy called postural drainage, which is literally a pounding on the chest and back to loosen up thick, sticky mucus in the hopes of coughing up sputum. Her routine also included oral antibiotics, pills to aid in food absorption, and inhaled aerosols. Like Thomas, her in-hospital "clean-outs" gradually became more and more frequent the older she grew. Due to frequent out-of-town hospitalizations and declining health, Gloria was forced to drop out of high school to battle her disease.

In 1995, at the age of 17, Gloria's health crisis accelerated and she found herself with one remaining treatment option - the same double-lung transplant her brother had received. Comforted by the fact that her brother had endured the procedure and recovery, she forged ahead hoping for the best

Little did she know that although her transplant would turn into a highly scientifically remarkable 15-year miracle, her brother's fight against the limitations of transplantation would end seven months later.

At age 18, within months of losing her biggest cheerleader and loving older brother with whom she shared a love of classic rock music, Gloria Kitchen embarked on a fundraising mission for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

She started with a small bowl-a-thon called Bowl For Breath where she relied on family and close friends for donations. After many years of growing the success of Bowl For Breath, she celebrated 10 years of fundraising with a dinner dance comlete with silent and live auctions.

Planning this annual event and growing it larger and more successful each year brought her great joy, which was only overshadowed by becoming an aunt to her remaining siblings eight children. During her relatively carefree years post-transplant, Gloria enjoyed overall remarkable good health. She enjoyed travelling with her parents and siblings, circumnavigating the globe with them on a guided tour. She loved to laugh, listen to music, go to concerts, and enjoyed dozens of close-knit friendships as she attracted people with her zest for living.

Gloria succumbed to chronic rejection nearly 15 years after her transplant and after having raised approximately $500,000.