Brian Michael Cook
Leslie Landry of Mary
Kelly Blackwell of
St. Tammany
of Hornbeck Offshore
Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Home Bank
Parish Hospital
“Listening to the stories of
at St. Tammany Parish
“One of my best friends lost
“I think I am always shocked
these families at the kickoff
Hospital
a brother to CF just a few
to hear about how difficult life
party—particularly hearing Eric
“For me, it is inspiring to know
years ago, so I have seen what
with CF can be, but it is getting
Suhre (we are about the same
that by working with the CF
it does to families. When I
better through new protocols
age) telling about growing up
foundation we are affecting
learned about Northshore’s
and drugs that are coming on
teetering on that line of life
real change for these families,
Finest, I was definitely on
the market. I constantly find
expectancy for someone with
bringing us closer to finding a
board. I really enjoyed our
myself telling everyone about
CF and trying to empathize
cure. It is exciting to be a part
kickoff party because they
it. And that is the power in
with what that is like—was
of real change in these families
had the families talk to us. It
a program like Northshore’s
extremely touching and
lives, seeing new drugs coming
was interesting to learn that
Finest; spreading the message
motivating for me.”
out and knowing that there are
there is a variety of strands,
other treatments on the horizon
that the fact that there are so
that will help kids and families
many different variations of this
that I have met along the way.”
disease makes it difficult to find
is at the core.”
over-arching solutions.”
60
Inside Northside
photo: ERIC SUHRE
Amanda Paxton of