The above picture is of Emily and Mason, the Denver store manager who wrote this post. Read the inspiring story of Emily on her journey.
I met Emily at the first benefit concert she put together, "Just Let Me Breathe". This was long before I had met lululemon. Emily was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 18 months old. CF is a disease that creates a thick mucus in the body that blocks vital organs, making breathing extremely difficult. There are lots of different treatments, but nothing yet that is a cure.
Even with a terminal genetic illness, Emily has never stopped choosing a positive thought. She created her own nonprofit that raises money for CF as well as gets the word out about the disease.
Exercise isn't typically an option for CF patients but Emily refuses to believe this. She never looked back after her first 1/2 marathon last year. She has also cycled for CF in her City to City ride from Detroit to Chicago. Running and cycling has kept her hospital visits for her "tune ups" down to a minimum.
After a visit to Colorado in August and a visit to our Cherry Creek store I couldn't have been more inspired that she was about to ride across the country to get on the Ellen DeGeneres show where she would let the world know about CF. Her spunky attitude and never-ending smile never lets you say no.
No questions asked, I wanted to help. With the support of our Somerset store in Troy, MI and the team at 900 N. Michigan Ave in Chicago, we got things rolling. They threw her parties to celebrate her goal and helped her with yoga classes before and after her ride from Detroit to Chicago.
Emily is now riding a vespa and her bike to Denver and then Burbank, CA talking about CF and raising money for the cause. She is also inspiring everyone she comes into contact with. She is breathing deeply and appreciating the moment. Because she knows that living in the moment is the meaning to life!
Lets support her along the way! Check out her blog at letsrockcf.org.
