Rylee Riekena feels most at home when she’s near water. There’s something about the ocean that just makes her feel safe and at peace. So when she took up paddleboarding, it seemed like a natural extension of her love for the water. Now, Riekena is applying her passion for paddleboarding to a new pursuit: raising awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis (CF).

Riekena was diagnosed with CF when she was just three months old. Growing up, she was always told how important it was to stay active; exercise and activity help to improve lung function, loosen mucus, and strengthen bone density. Although her condition has sometimes made it more difficult to stay active, Riekena approaches every pursuit with a smile and a heavy dose of self-confidence. 

According to KPAX, her commitment to raising CF awareness—paired with her desire to push herself to her limits—led Riekena to sign up as a paddler for the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis. This long-distance endurance paddle challenge has paddlers racing 80 miles from Bimini to Florida. Riekena jumped at the chance to contribute. Alongside three teammates, Riekena is raising money for the Piper’s Angels Foundation. 

The Crossing for CF will take place from June 20-25, 2023. If you would like to learn more about Rylee Riekena, ask her questions about cystic fibrosis, or learn how you can sponsor her during the Crossing, feel free to email her at [email protected].

Cystic Fibrosis (CF): The Basics

Normally, the CFTR gene creates a CFTR protein that helps regulate chloride ions in cells. By transporting chloride ions in and out of cells, CFTR controls water and salt movement in the body. When this is working correctly, our body creates thin, slippery mucus that lines our airways, reproductive system, digestive system, and more. In people with cystic fibrosis (CF), CFTR mutations cause mucus to become thick and sticky. This mucus then accumulates in the person’s system, causing blockages, trapping bacteria, and even stopping nutrient absorption.

Cystic fibrosis is often diagnosed shortly after birth through newborn screening. It is significantly more common in Caucasian infants than those of other racial or ethnic backgrounds. Symptoms of CF may include:

• Persistent coughing and wheezing
• Exercise intolerance
• Frequent lung infections
• Nasal polyps
• Stuffy nose
• Constipation and/or fatty, foul-smelling stools
• Salty skin
• Infertility (in men) 
• Poor weight gain
• Intestinal blockages (in infants)
• Shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing

Due to advances in treatment, people with cystic fibrosis are now living longer than in the past. Treatment for CF may include a blend of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, expectorants, bronchodilators, exercise and vest therapy, TRIKAFTA, and surgery. Additional experimental treatments are being explored in clinical studies.