A 70-year-old person with cystic fibrosis. It’s a phrase that wasn’t just uncommon a few decades ago—it was virtually unheard of. When Luanne McKinnon was diagnosed in 1969 at just 13 years old, doctors told her parents she might live to be 19 years old. Today, Luanne stands on the edge of her 70th birthday—a milestone that not only redefines possi…

Eight miles. Two friends. One cause. In this inspiring episode, Jacob Venditti opens up about his life with cystic fibrosis, offering candid updates on his health and the challenges he faces as he prepares for a lung transplant. He emphasizes the vital role of community support and shares how his work with the Live Fearlessly Foundation fuels his m…

From Clunky to Cutting-Edge: The Evolution of Airway Clearance with Nicole Dunn When our daughters first received their vest machines, they felt like they weighed a hundred pounds and had to be plugged into the wall. The vests didn’t fit well—riding high in the armpits and leaving much to be desired in comfort and function. Fast forward 25 years, a…

CFRI’s Executive Director, Siri Vaeth is sunshine to me. She’s a dear friend. We met after Siri took on her role with the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute. I consider Siri a dear friend, and a mentor. Siri is truly among the smartest people I know. She is an advocate for her daughter Tess, who has CF, and is an incredible advocate for the CF comm…

I love that I was able to bump into Aaron Trumm via an email. He reached out to check in about our scholarship program for college. We only award grants to undergrad students, but I was intrigued by all I learned about him. Aaron has CF, he is post-transplant, he started a recording label, he plays the piano and wraps, And he worked with the man kn…

CF Dad Bob Coughlin see's a cure in the future for his son, and all of our kids. His high energy in this podcast is contagious. In this conversation, Laura Bonnell and Bob Coughlin discuss the journey of Bob's son, Bobby, who has cystic fibrosis. They explore the advancements in treatment, the importance of advocacy, and the intersection of policy …

Michael Armstrong is a 25-year-old pre-law student. He loves to read, paint, play card games and video games. He was diagnosed with CF as an infant. We’re going to talk about his CF journey and how life took a turn when he was being evaluated for a lung transplant in 2023 and 2024. Michael was featured in the 2025 Portraits of cystic fibrosis calen…

If you lose a child to CF, what does that do to parents? To their identity? And their place in the CF community. These are hard discussions to have, but for a couple years now Peggy Hawkins has want to share her story on this podcast. Peggy talks about the toll waiting for a transplant takes on a family. One of the issues was that one of them alway…

Saving yourself by way of advocacy. Living with cystic fibrosis podcast host, Laura Bonnell talks to CF advocate, Amanda Boone about the fight that grew from a threat to her medications in Colorado. Amanda has led the way against the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). Amanda, who has CF, was struggling prior to 2019 because her health wa…

I have known Becky Penuel for many years. Becky used to run Miles for cystic fibrosis and then merged her nonprofit with Brian Callanan’s nonprofit, CF Life Fitness. After the merger, the nonprofit name is now: BreatheStrong. Becky is the Executive Director and was not able to join us today but, her Director of Operations is with us . Shawna Gray i…

The NonProfit Spot: a wealth of resources and classes about how to grow your board, fundraise and make strategic decisions that will change the trajectory of your Foundation for the better. They have an excellent newsletter too. Heather Carmona, the Managing Director (and co-founder) of NonProfit Spot is a great friend and I am honored to share all…

I encourage everyone to attend conferences when you can. I meet the most interesting experts in the field of the nonprofit world. From scientists, to pharma, to other nonprofit execs like me. I was thrilled to meet Jenifer Waldrop. She joined the Black Women’s Health Imperative as the Executive Director of the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC…

Melissa Yeager, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Claire’s Place Foundation Since the planning stages of Claire’s Place Foundation, Melissa has spent countless hours working for the cause and, of course, raising her two children, Claire (the foundation’s namesake) and Ellie. With many years’ experience in project management and event planning, s…

Emily Schaller, 42, is a heroine with one goal in mind, to Rock CF. A lot of laughs on this podcast with my friend Emily! She talks about her health, the Foundation, new and old legislation and what's coming up in 2025! Equal parts spark, wit and humor, Emily is claiming her victories against cystic fibrosis having launched the Rock CF Foundation i…

“Charity Care is the best kept secret in healthcare.” says Eli Rushbanks "Only 29 percent of the people who should be helped by 340B, are helped." If, like me, you have not heard about Charity Care or Dollar For, I am glad you're here! This podcast will tell you about both Charity Care and the nonprofit, Dollar For. I learned about the program duri…

Are titles important? As a rare disease parent, we think you're worthy of a Ph.D. Listen to our fun conversation about all things rare and the much needed title we may need (or not) to get things done. As a reminder, Beth Vanstone is the mother of two daughters, one who has CF. Madi is 23 years old. Beth is a huge advocate in Canada, and much of th…

What is a Private Patient Advocate? Do you need one? Laura talks to Dr. Elena Borrelli who is a Doctor of Medical Science and a Board-Certified Patient Advocate who helps people and families with their health care journey. She practices in Shelby Township, Michigan. Dr. Borelli manages their healthcare as she tries to help them live their healthies…

Dylan Mortimer did the NYC Marathon. If you know him, you know that he had two double lung transplants. One in 2017 and one two years later in 2019. His second transplant was in NYC and Dylan talks about what it was like to go back to the streets he could barely walk, pre-transplant. It so touching as Dylan chairs his story with us. I appreciate al…

Patient rights: do you know about the rights you have in regard to healthcare? There is a lot of information for you that Sara and Thayer serve to you here, in terms you can understand. They both work for the Partnership to Improve Patient Care, or PIPC (a coalition). Sara Traigle van Geertruyden is the Executive Director at PIPC. Thayer Roberts is…

Life with CF is different for everyone. We have a lot of the same challenges, but we do grow with the disease differently. Heather Trammell, CF Mom to 7 year old Charlie is married to Christopher, (for 13 years now). Heather is a legal assistant in the compliance department at Credit Acceptance. Heather has so much CF Mom wisdom. I am glad to call …

We’re in Canada for this podcast. Canadian Advocate Beth Vanstone has two daughters, one with CF and she’s hosting this podcast with Laura Bonnell. Beth is introducing us to 32-year-old To Touraj Dehghan Manshadi who has a CF mutation that is common to Iran, but rare in Canada where he lives. You may be surprised to learn Canada does not have a rar…

I always tell this group of undergrad students that they are our future, and that makes the future look bright. Atef Choudhury and Naim Mashni are incredible people and students. They're both Seniors at Lyman Briggs College -- majoring in Human Biology. They're minor is in business and they're on the pre- med track. Atef and Naim are the co-founder…

From news reporting, to CF and beyond. Laura talks about her journey. The Bonnell Foundation: Living with cystic fibrosis is 14 years old. "I was so hopeful all those years ago, that my Foundation would take off, and now look at it! We have helped CF families from Michigan to California with financial assistance, lung transplant grants and Educatio…

We discuss suicide in this podcast. This could be a trigger for some for you. Please remember the National Suicide Hotline can be reached via text or by calling 988. Sorcha Slyvester-Martin from diagnosis to drugs and discovery. When she was three days old, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. She says she had several near-death experiences. Her…

In this podcast you'll meet my brother Noah Teicher, and my nephew Colton Teicher. I have two younger brothers, but my brother Noah (the middle child) has two boys who had a rare disease. And we talk about their journey from having a rare disease to being cured. Noah and Colton talk about their journey with the Children’s Organ Transplant Associati…

Diane Shader Smith’s daughter Mallory died from complications of cystic fibrosis 6 years ago. She was 25 years old. Diane initially published her daughter’s diary, "Salt in My Soul". This book gave insight into how Mallory was feeling during her CF fight. Her deepest thoughts, and life lessons. Diane Shader Smith is now releasing a second book on b…

Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS): Have you heard of it? In the simplest terms, it is defined by the need for specialty care required for your child. It’s not a Medicaid program. Access to the program has nothing to do with your household income. The program has a lot of benefits. CSHCS covers transportation that can include airfare a…

Shortly after we did this podcast Matt died from complications of cystic fibrosis. With permission from his sisters, and dear friend Jennifer Bleecher (featured in this podcast) we are now airing this podcast to shine a light about what a great man Matt was. He speaks in this podcast about concern for his health. Thanks to Jenn, his family and to M…

As people with cystic fibrosis live longer, with a life expectancy currently at about 56 years old, many women with CF will be going through menopause. I recently spoke to doctors at a hospital gathering, and recommended they speak to women with CF about menopause. They agreed. It's time. There is so little discussion and education about women and …

Dr. Caleb Bupp. In my opinion. A scientific star. He is a most humble human, but has every right to brag, but he never would. I do believe he's a genius. You will love this podcast. We talk about rare disease, his family and how he discovered and helped families who had no rare disease answers, until they met him! An absolute scientific rock star. …

Cambrey Vasconez White is the mother of toddler Rowland, who has Cystic Fibrosis. If you listened to our podcast with Vicky Maldonado, they have similar struggles. Cambrey is also working to find an equitable approach to rare mutations in the U.S. and Canada. These two women connected, as you’ll hear, because their sons share the same mutation. Row…

Did you know most states have programs for CF families, and they don’t have to do with your income? Michigan has one of the best programs in the Country. It’s called Children’s Special Healthcare and acts as a secondary insurance to pediatric and adult patients. Brandi Berry tells us all about it. Brandi Berry, LLMSW is the Program Coordinator of t…

A new CF modulator could be on the horizon. Professor Dr. Bhanu Jena is exciting to tell us all about it. Dr. Jena was born in a small town in Odisha, India. He got his love for science and medicine from his father and grandfather. He majored in Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany at BJB College in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, He got his masters in zoolo…

Approximately 10 percent of the CF population is waiting for a CF modulator drug that will help them by correcting the underlying condition of their disease. Current modulator drugs help more common CF mutations. Emily Kramer Golinkoff is one of the people who doesn't have a CF modulator that will help her. Her Foundation, Emily's Entourage, is a l…

Living legends. One of them is Dr. Mitch Drumm. He was part of the team with Dr. Francis Collins who discovered the gene that cause CF. They were all at the University of Michigan. You’ll hear the connection Laura and Mitch have, and they didn’t know it until this podcast! Dr. Drumm is a living CF hero. Dr. Drumm earned his doctoral degree while in…

Do you know what is needed before you have a lung transplant? Or even how it works? More and more adult CF clinics are explaining the details to adult patients, but if you're a CF parent, there is a lot you may not know. We welcome Dr. Ryan Hadley. Dr. Hadley is at Corewell health in Grand Rapids. He is an assistant Profession of Medicine in pulmon…

Everyone always asks me "What does it take to run a Foundation?" So I thought I would explain some of the different aspects of funny and challenging parts of running a Foundation. Please join me with my friend Beth Vanstone who asks me all sorts of questions about what running a Foundation is all about! Please follow us on social media! Please cons…

He’s been arrested. He’s CIS gender with a wife and kids. Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is also an orthodox Jew’is and he is one of the biggest supporters of the queer community. Rabbi Moskowitz is the Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the world’s largest LGBT synagogue. He is a deeply traditional an…

We’re going to Brazil for this podcast. Brazil is famous for some soccer players; you remember Pele and others. It’s the largest country in South America, it has 4 times zones…60 percent of the amazon rainforest is in Brazil, their flag has 27 stars on it and they speak Portuguese there. And the food looks amazing there. I have never been to Brazil…

So many people with cystic fibrosis have gut pain. It is often times, debilitating. Dr. Matthew DiMagno and Dr. Jorge Machicado are working to find answers to the suffering of people with CF, and others without. Dr. Machicado is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Michigan. Dr. Mach…

Maureen Electa Monte and I go ... way back! When she was an engineer, and doing photography, she photographed our first Portraits of cystic fibrosis black and white calendar in 2003. The wives of the Detroit Tigers, pretty much all of them pregnant, played in our first celebrity softball game. They played against law enforcement at a ballpark in St…

Aliyah Novelli was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant. Today, she's a licensed social worker practicing as a child and family therapist at The Center for Change and Growth in Ardmore, PA. Aliyah is full of enthusiasm about her new program: mindfulness. The CF Foundation awarded her with a CF Impact grant to get it started. Aliyah launched …

Canadian, Vicky Maldonado is the mother of a young boy living with a rare genetic form of CF. Sebastian is 6 years old, and a twin. The road to diagnosis was challenging. Sebastian was diagnosed with two rare CF genes after repeated respiratory infections and two hospitalizations. “We were told that Sebastian likely didn’t have CF because he’s “not…

A better future for health for: All of Us! Dr. Josh Denny is the All of Us Research program, CEO. A program that comes from the National Institute of Health. The Bonnell Foundation is all about Science and Innovation! And he has a CF connect via his father! The goal of All of Us is to enroll 1 million people to build one of the most diverse health …

(Please follow us wherever you get your podcasts, rate us and/or comment. Thank you) Part of the Bonnell mission, while doing these podcasts, is to raise awareness and shine the light on other Foundations who are also doing great things. Today we’re going to tell you about the CF Trust in the United Kingdom. Belinda Cupid is the Senior Impact Advis…

This is our third podcast with Alan Klein, the Chief Development Officer Healthwell. As a reminder Healthwell was paying about $25 million each year for CF co-pays in therapeutics. But because of the lack of funding from their corporate sponsors they stopped helping existing patients and couldn’t help new applicatns with their CF bills. Healthwell …

(Please consider subscribing to our podcast and rating it. It helps us with promotion. Thank you) What a treat for all of us today. Nicholas Kelly is in the house. I've wanted him on our podcast for a while. Nick was diagnosed with CF when he was 3 months old. Nick has so many accomplishments. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Bowling…

Karen McEwan’s daughter, Elana, is 20 years old. It’s been a complex journey from birth to today. Elana suffers from a rare, incurable disease called Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). This is the first podcast that is not about cystic fibrosis specifically, although you will see the connection. It’s about chronic illness and Mom’s connecting and pa…

Rena Barrow has two kids with CF, Jarrod is 22 and Jahsir is 3 years old. Over the years she’s witnessed a discrepancy in care for people of color. Even after her 22 year old son was diagnosed, doctors weren't sure her newborn baby had CF, They told her, "Maybe it was sickle cell." She fought until her son Jahsir was properly diagnosed. The delay i…

I am excited that all of you will get to meet Dr. Susanna McColley!!!! I was so impressed with her commitment to CF and her incredible medical and life knowledge. Dr. McColley works to promote equitable diagnosis and treatment in cystic fibrosis. As a white person, Dr. McColley talks about all that white privilege brings, and what we must remember …