PROF I L E
Emily Bridges CHAMPION FOR A CAUSE • BEST FRIEND • DUTIFUL DAUGHTER By Alex McCray
To Emily Bridges, there was no difference between her and lifelong friend, Leann Ott, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at age 3. “That’s the tricky thing about CF—no one can tell you’re battling this disease,” Emily says. The genetic disorder, which causes recurring lung infections and deteriorates the ability to breathe, didn’t rob the girls of their sing-a-long sessions while they grew up together in Sandy Springs. But Emily, who is now the marketing director for Choate Construction Company, did see the disease take a toll on the choices Leann was able to make in life. Worst of all, in November 2018, Emily saw it take Leann’s life at 33. Since the reality of Leann’s diagnosis set in years ago, Emily and the local Choate Construction Company team, led by her father Millard Choate, have worked to raise awareness about CF. “Cars & ‘Q for the Cause was born out of Choate Construction’s support of Great Strides,” says Emily. The only problem was, “After a few years of doing the walk … we realized we weren’t really walkers,” she says with a laugh.
EMILY AND HER DA
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D, MILLARD.
A CASUAL CAR SHOW AND HAPPY-HOUR FUNDRAISER EVENTUALLY BECAME
CARS & ‘Q FOR THE CAUSE.
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But thankfully, chump change is a thing of the past. Through the efforts of employees, business associates, and friends, Cars & ‘Q for the Cause raised just over $450,000 in net profits in 2018. For the event’s 10th anniversary on May 4 (see p. 22), the team plans to top $1.5 million in overall funds donated since its inception. The result of these donations? The advancement of two promising new drugs in phase three clinical trials that treat the underlying cause of the disease. If successful, they have the potential to drastically help roughly 90 percent of the CF population by as early as the end of 2019, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. When the former Georgia Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation board member and national Jena Award recipient (one of the organization’s highest honors) takes a well-deserved break from being a CF champion, she and husband Stephen can be found at Mandolin Kitchen or having a cold one at Pontoon Brewing. CarsNQ.com
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APRIL – JUNE 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATMAX PHOTOGRAPHY.
The group noticed that they were car aficionados, though. So, a casual car show and happy-hour fundraiser was created. Emily jokes as she recalls the success of its first year. “Someone asked me, ‘How much money did you raise the first year?’ I said, ‘I think I found a quarter on the ground!’”
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