“I am constantly inspired by my mom’s unwavering strength and resilience in the face of cystic fibrosis … Despite the hurdles, she continues to approach each day with a spirit that is both courageous and uplifting.” — Makenzie
“I have known that I was interested in being a physician for almost as long as I can remember, after my brother was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and was hospitalized for the first time.” — Gabrielle
“Times have been tough, and she has faced many battles, but despite all these challenges, she is living her best life, and when asked, she will say that kindness is her superpower.” — Elizabeth, speaking about her daughter
We’re excited to introduce you to the class of 2024 Vertex Foundation Scholarship recipients! This year’s class at a glance:
88 scholarships awarded to people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) or a family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling)
31 U.S. states and 4 Canadian Provinces
51 first time recipients
$5,000 USD/CAD awarded per recipient
Majors include law, electrical engineering, chemistry, medicine, nursing, criminal justice, civil engineering and pharmacy
From recent high school graduates to those pursuing advanced degrees, this year’s Vertex Foundation Scholars are chasing their dreams. And for many, their dream is to help people. These incredible students view CF as a source of inspiration for their future career.
A mother's inspiration
Makenzie credits her mom, who has CF, with shaping the person she is today. A student at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, Makenzie is working to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a goal of earning a master’s degree to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Not only has Makenzie’s mom supported her education, but she’s also been a source of inspiration — her mom’s positive outlook and determination remind Makenzie that there’s always room for hope and joy. “Her journey with cystic fibrosis is not just a testament to her strength, but an inspiration for everyone privileged enough to witness her grace and fortitude,” shared Makenzie.
The journey to becoming a physician
When Gabrielle’s brother was nine months old, he wasn’t gaining weight as expected and the diagnosis turned out to be CF. She was only eight years old at the time, but that experience is what motivated her to pursue a career in medicine. She knows that her chosen career path is long and can be difficult, but she is up for the challenge and currently thriving at the University of Texas Health San Antonio’s Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine. One thing she’s learned along the way? “Physicians are lifelong learners who strive to find success their entire careers. The real achievement is enjoying each step of the journey, not the end result.”
Kindness as a superpower
Elizabeth’s daughter was diagnosed with CF at birth. And that journey has shown Elizabeth the importance of offering kindness to others, no matter what challenges they are facing personally. Her daughter considers kindness to be her superpower and continually reminds Elizabeth that “one act of kindness could change someone’s life forever.” With her daughter as her inspiration and her family as her strength, Elizabeth is pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) at Yorkville University in New Brunswick, Canada while balancing a career as an educator. Her goal is to become a registered psychotherapist to be able to provide social and emotional support to youth, families and educators, and to fulfill her lifelong commitment of helping and supporting others.
About the Vertex Foundation Scholarship
Established in 2017, the Vertex Foundation Scholarship helps people with CF and their families (siblings, caregivers, spouses and children) pursue two-year, three-year, four-year or graduate degrees by offsetting some of the cost of attending college or graduate school. To date, more than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded.
For more information about the Vertex Foundation Scholarship Program and how to apply, visit https://www.vertexfoundation.org/healthy-families.