Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser means a lot to transplant survivor
- Rita Rose
- 34 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Indianapolis Great Strides 2026 fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis
When: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Check In: 1:00 p.m.
Start Walk: 2:00 p.m.
Distance: 1 Mile
Jennifer Weber is 52 years old. She wasn’t supposed to live much past 10.
The Indianapolis woman has Cystic Fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs. It can affect people of every racial and ethnic group.
In 2023, Jen became a member of a unique group of survivors: She was one of only 23 people who, at the time, had received three double lung transplants in the United States. Yes, THREE.
“I was diagnosed with CF when I was around the age of 2. Today it is part of the newborn screening testing, so most are diagnosed in early infancy,” says Jen.
“When I was diagnosed with CF, the average life expectancy for someone was barely 10 years old. Today, with advanced treatments, the average life expectancy is over 50 years old.”
In 2010, when Jen was 36, her lungs started to fail, and she underwent her first double lung transplant. In 2012, she showed signs of organ rejection and was put on a ventilator in intensive care, followed by her second lung transplant.
Those lungs lasted for 10 years, but by 2022 Jen was on oxygen and experiencing organ rejection once again. It was decided that she should travel to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, to prepare for her third transplant in January 2023. It wasn’t easy for Jen.
“I ended up having almost every complication you can experience during my surgery and recovery. I was on ECMO, dialysis, had blood clots and had to go back to surgery a couple of times for my lungs. Yet I fully recovered and went home without a tracheotomy, feeding tube, or any longterm complications related to my lung surgery.”
She came home to a new pup, a Yorkiepoo named Duke given to her by friends. “He has been very helpful in my recovery. He keeps me active especially during our walks – at least three times a day,” says Jen.
This year Jen and Duke will be taking part in the Indianapolis Great Strides 2026 fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis on May 3 at Victory Field. If you’d like to donate or join her team, Weber’s Walkers, click here: https://fundraise.cff.org/Indy2026/WebersWalkers
