Our family is so very thankful to the Take a Breather Foundation for granting our family the trip of a lifetime! My oldest daughter suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, and the last two years have been extremely difficult for her as her health declined significantly. She spent most of her Senior Year of High School in the hospital or home bound and was listed for a double lung transplant. The call from Take a Breather couldn’t have come at a better time! The entire family needed time to take a break from hospitalizations, IV’s, and doctors appointments. The trip truly gave us an opportunity to “breath”! We were blessed with a trip to Hawaii and surrounded by God’s beauty we were able to have a respite from the demands of the disease. The kids and I made memories that will last a lifetime! We are so very thankful to Take a Breather and our anonymous donor who made this very special trip possible! Molly and Matt, you feel like part of our family now and hold a special place in our hearts! Much love, Linda, Maddi, Zach, Grace, and Gabbi
The past 2 years have been particularly hard for myself and also our family. I have faced many set backs and long courses of treatments with little to no improvement. This doesn't just affect me it affects our whole family. This disease is not something I face alone and many times can be even harder on my family than it is on me. This trip was given to us at the perfect moment and gave us a chance to escape all of that. We were given a chance to be a regular family. Our trip was so incredibly wonderful!! It was so much greater than I ever imagined. I just keep reliving the moments over in my head. I never once felt worried about my health the entire time and I never expected to be able to rid myself of that worry. This breather truly was a breather for our family. Although I used a scooter to get around I felt like every other person there just enjoying the moments with their family.
The kids had so many amazing moments. We were able to get the boys in to do the Jedi Training and Nathan led the parade through Hollywood Studios, I dragged the boys with me to meet Tinkerbell and Dillon and Nathan got to catch the biggest Bass of their lives. We met many characters, rode so many great rides and had so much great food! I LOVE Mickey Waffles!! This trip was such an incredible blessing for us. We will never forget these memories and I am so thankful for the time we had together.
Review from Guidestar
Recently my family was given a great opportunity to take a breather from cf for a week in Florida at Disney world. This trip could not have came at a better time after all the ups and downs that the cf roller coaster takes you on we as a family of 5 got a chance for the first time in over 4 years since getting my youngest sons cf diagnosis. We could not have asked for a better week we laughed we cryed we had melt downs from long days at the park but we were all together as a family. I can not thank this organization and everyone who donates to this great organization enough from the start of the trip arriving at the airport to our week at give kids the world meeting new people and sharing stories to the trip back home was a once and a life time experience that was made possible with you so thank you from the whole intire family to be given this “breather” and time to re group and reconnect as a family .
Review from Guidestar
It is a true honor and pleasure being a part of TAB. I have volunteered for other non profits and none seem to have the level of personal touch that TAB seems to have. TAB wish recipients are treated like family. Keep up the good work TAB!
I am a nurse at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, in North Philadelphia.
My first experience with TAB was approximately ten years ago when they fulfilled the wish of one of my patients to “complete her bucket list”
Ashley was 21 years old at the time and couldn’t even walk to the bathroom without the use of oxygen. Her Doctors were urging her to move forward with plans to apply to the lung transplant program at the University of Pennsylvania.
My patient and her family had been struggling since her birth to maintain the best quality of life possible, but time was running out.
Ashley felt that if she could complete her bucket list, that she would find the courage to move forward with her lung transplant.
TAB planned an elaborate trip to the Grand Canyon for Ashley and her family, including a helicopter ride, as her stamina was so compromised from her disease.
When Ashley returned to Philadelphia, she was again hospitalized with severe lung failure and was rushed to HUP from St. Christopher’s Hospital, ready for her lung transplant, with the courage and knowledge that she was well prepared for this next stage of her battle, as her bucket list was complete.
Since that time, TAB has sent nearly every child with CF at St. Christopher’s on the trip of their wish.
They come to the clinic and to the inpatient floor every Christmas with IPads and gift cards for any patient who is hospitalized, or in the clinic during the week before Christmas, and they have never turned down the request of the doctors or social workers who know that they will help with anything a child with CF might need.
They were able to pay for cochlear implants for our 20 year old patient who had lost his hearing from his exposure to the antibiotics needed to treat his CF, and insurance didn’t cover.
I know I can reach out to them, and count on their support for any child in need.
I'm a social worker at the UNC Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a progressive lung disease which slowly limits the ability to breathe over time. As a CF Social Worker, I attend to both the financial and emotional needs of our patients. The needs in both of these areas can be overwhelming. CF is a very expensive disease - even if you have health insurance, there are co-pays for multiple medications, clinic appointments, and hospitalizations. CF is also an emotionally exhausting disease - patients have 2-4 hours of treatments EVERY day. They also know (usually from birth) that they have a limited lifespan and struggle with the implications.
Fortunately, we have some allies to help us assist patients who are struggling with the financial and emotional consequences of their disease. Take-A-Breather has been a phenomenal source of relief and strength for our patients. The vacations that they offer allow our patients an otherwise-unavailable chance to take a vacation that gives them moments of joy and allows them to recapture their strength and hope.
I am incredibly grateful that the Take-A-Breather Foundation has expanded to North Carolina and can extend wishes to the adults in our clinic. This is an amazing foundation and I hope that they will be able to continue in their mission with the help of generous donors.
Marianne Buchanan, LCSW
Chapel Hill, NC
Review from Guidestar
Take a Breather is a wonderful organization. They recognize that it’s not easy being an adult with CF and sometimes we need a “breather” as well. As a recent recipient of a wish I am so grateful to TAB and all of their sponsors. My parents and I went to San Francisco. This past year has been a rough year for me and I have had to make some hard decisions recently. So this trip could not have come at a better time. There was so much to see and do, there was no time to worry about anything the whole vacation. I came back feeling lighter and happier than I have in a long time. We all loved every minute, but the definite highlight was going to see the Giants play the Mets at AT&T Park. I also loved seeing the lovely sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf and the vibrant colors at the Conservatory of Flowers and tasting the best dim sum ever in Chinatown. None of this would have been possible without TAB. So thank you so very much from my whole family!
Review from Guidestar
My daughter has Cystic Fibrosis and her days are filled with working to stay healthy. From medications to breathing treatments, air way clearance and doctor visits, Patty does it all without complaining. Take A Breather sent my daughter and our family on a cruise to Bermuda. This meant a lot to Patty because she was able to escape from the day to day living with CF and just enjoy her beautiful surroundings. Instead of clinic visits, she was on the beach and swimming with the dolphins. It definitely reinvigorated her and she wants to continue to stay as healthy as possible because she wants to visit Bermuda again. It was absolutely amazing and we made memories that will last a lifetime. My daughter enjoyed every second of Bermuda and the cruise ship. We could never thank Take A Breather and their donors enough.
Review from Guidestar
Take A breather sent my family to Disney World and allowed me to put aside the daily struggles of life associated with living with Cf. We had a great time and made memories we will hold forever. I cannot express in words what this experience has meant to me or my children!
Review from Guidestar
Our family’s journey with Cystic Fibrosis began almost four years ago when our son Caleb was born. He spent a couple months in the NICU and has had numerous surgeries since birth due to complications from having CF. It’s been a stressful four years for our family and especially Caleb. Earlier this year, we were thrilled to learn that Caleb was nominated for a wish from Take A Breather, and he was excited to choose a beach vacation. Take A Breather is a wonderful organization run by kind and caring people, and we greatly appreciate that they took care of every detail of our trip so we didn’t have to do anything and could enjoy our time at Topsail Island, NC. Our trip to the beach was one we’ll never forget! It was a wonderful time to relax, focus on our family, reconnect and “take a breather” from CF. We’ll always remember the joy on both of our son’s faces as they played on the beach and explored the island. Take A Breather and all those who generously donate to this amazing foundation, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for fulfilling Caleb’s wish!
Review from Guidestar
Words cannot adequately express the immeasurable blessing Take A Breather has been in my life! Molly and the rest of the Take A Breather family entered my life during an extremely difficult time— as I was grappling with a physically, emotionally and financially draining treatment protocol for a complex lung infection. I’ll never forget the day Molly called to say they were going to grant a wish for me. Take A Breather sent my husband and I to the Grand Canyon (a place my avid hiker and outdoor-lover heart had always longed to explore) and Sedona, AZ. The trip was exactly what we needed to relax, recuperate and reconnect. Take A Breather exceeded our every expectation and we were blown away by the amazing gift that trip was for us. We tell everyone we know about this fabulous foundation in hopes of aiding them in carrying out their mission for years to come! What an honor it is to be a part of the Take A Breather family! Take A Breather is truly changing lives!
Review from Guidestar
We are so thankful to Matt and Molly and the rest of the Team of Take a Breather who made it possible for the Ortega Vidot family to take a breath from years of living as if we were riding a roller coaster and not getting off of it. Many thanks and love to all. Javien loves The other world like he said
The management and volunteers at Take a Breather are some of the most diligent, dedicated, hard-working people I have ever seen. Their dedication to the cause goes way beyond the necessary. Their events are well organized, efficient and successful which ultimately leads to their mission of granting a little respite for children and adults and their families living with Cystic Fibrosis
I wanted to thank all the people who works for and supports Take A Breather Foundation. The trip to Orlando was one that my family will never forget. Makena my daughter who has Cystic Fibrosis was made to feel like royalty. Her special wish to meet Minnie Mouse was the high point of the trip. When Minnie walked into the VIP lounge at Magic Kingdom her heart lit up so much that she cried a little bit which made Mom and Dad do the same. Those of us who have loved ones with CF know the struggles they go through on a daily basis. Like simple things, getting up 45 minutes before everybody else so they can start their breathing treatments. To have a week where after her treatments instead of going to school she got to meet her idol was awesome.
Review from Guidestar
Dear Take A Breather Foundation,
Thank you so much for sending my family and I to the Atlantis. We shared so many amazing memories together that will last a life-time. My family and I went tubing, snorkeling, and on two awesome boat rides during our stay. We went to an island called, Sandy Toes that had a beautiful beach, great food, and many activities for us to do. One of my favorite memories was swimming with the turtles and other fish. I truly appreciate everything this foundation has done for me and I am excited to see more and more children with Cystic Fibrosis have their biggest wishes granted like I did. Thank you so much for this amazing experience I got to share with my family because it was so nice to "take a breather."
Thank you,
Danielle Croft
Review from Guidestar
I want to thank the Take A Breather Foundation from the bottom of my heart for making a wish come true by sending me and my daughter, Emma, on a Disney Cruise. After being hospitalized for CF exacerbations 3 times in 3 months and numerous surgical procedures the following 2 months last summer, it was wonderful to go away. I was so overwhelmed by the kindness of TAB and Molly, Joe, and Bruce. My daughter and I both cried when they presented us with the wish. The fact that I am an adult with CF being granted a wish was unbelievable to me.
It was the BEST trip ever. TAB took care of everything! It was an added thrill riding to and from the airport in a limo. Emma and I had an amazing time. The cruise was spectacular. I felt like we had escaped reality for 7 days and it was fabulous. We had so much fun doing all the activities the ship had to offer and we did them all together from drawing to trivia to movies. It was just as much fun as going to Disney World but without all the walking (which was great for me!!)
It truly was an incredible experience that neither of us will ever forget! We owe all of our thanks to the Take A Breather Foundation for allowing me to take a breather from both CF and reality!!!
Review from Guidestar
Take a breather foundation granted me a wish to Atlantis Bahamas while I was facing challenges with my health and from graduating high school. At the time I was granted this wish I was in the hospital getting my regular tune up, and was on the border of being able to graduate or not. It was at the perfect time that I got to go on a vacation that was so memorable and couldn't have asked for anywhere else to be. From when I was diagnosed with CF at 3 months old it hasn't been easy but like every CF we aren't going to give up! What this meant for me was a dream come true to see the crystal clear water and feeling like paradise. The TAB foundation fulfilled my dreams in so many ways . I'm so thankful for this great experience and amazing opportunity to spend some time in Bahamas . It made me realize that there more to to enjoy in life then dealing with CF . I would like to thanks everyone in the Take a breather foundation that made this trip possible. It was a life time experience that would last forever.
Review from Guidestar
Dear Take A Breather,
I want to thank you so much for granting my wish to go to Atlantis, Bahamas. Everything about my trip was AWESOME! As soon as we arrived and checked in I was off to the pool to swim. After that I spent ever day at the water park going on all the rides and swimming in the pools. My favorite ride was the Leap of Faith! I also got to spend some time on the beach with my family and went on a jet ski ride. It was a lot of fun and I owe it to all of you for giving me the chance to take a "breather" from Cystic Fibrosis.
Love, Evan
Review from Guidestar
The Take A Breather Foundation sent my daughter Maddy to see Hamilton on Broadway in NYC. Words can not express how much this trip has meant to her. It lived up to every high expectation and more. It is hard to believe our family received such an amazing experience. Maddy has been in the hospital a lot lately. She was in patient at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 5 times in the span of 6 months. She is a freshman in high school, in a new school. She has missed over 60 days of school. She was supposed to go on a field trip with her school to see another Broadway show. She was not able to attend due to being stuck in her hospital room receiving IV antibiotics. Her social worker Debby got her in contact with Matt at TAB, He wanted to know what her wish would be. She said she wanted to see the show Hamilton more than anything. He was able to get her amazing seats to the show!
TAB sent a film crew to document her experience, traveling to NYC , staying in Times Square, and actually getting to see this amazing show. She felt so special.
She has missed so many normal activities in her life due to cystic fibrosis. This is a memory she will always have. As her parents sitting in the Hamilton theater watching her get to watch this show was a experience we will never forget. After spending months worth of time in the hospital with her, missing out on everything, just trying to stay healthy, this was more than we could have ever asked for. Seeing her get to watch this show she knows every word to, with music she has listened to on repeat to try to pass the time in the hospital, couldn't have been a more perfect moment.
Words can not express our gratitude for this wish. So in the absence of anything else, to everyone at The Take a Breather Foundation: Thank You!
Previous Stories
The Take a Breather Foundation is amazing! My daughter is 11 years old with Cystic Fibrosis.The foundation went above and beyond to make her feel special. They delivered an ipad to her hospital room at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The idea that people would care enough to come see her and give her such an amazing gift was so great for her morale. The ipad has helped to keep her busy during long hours of treatments. The feeling this foundation has provided for my daughter is priceless!
I would like to take a minute to say thank you to the Take A Breather Foundation for granting my sons wish. All he wanted for Christmas was his own computer. Well the Take A Breather Foundation made his wish possible. He was jumping up and down when it was delivered. What made him happier was that the neighbors were over and could enjoy his excitement. He was ripping open the boxes and couldn't wait for us to get it set up for him. He always wants to play on the computer all the time and we set it up next to his pappy's chair and every time he clicks on a new page he asks his pappy to look. This is a gift that he can use for years to come for play and school. My son is the strongest kid I know and nothing not even Cystic Fibrosis will bring him down. I work harder everyday to give him the life he deserves. Thanks again to the Take A Breather Foundation for making his Christmas extra special!
Sincerely
Christina and Zachary Laughman
Review from Guidestar
