We ask that all donations be made by people over the age of 18 or through the consent of a parent or guardian! 

I am proud to lead the way toward a world without pulmonary fibrosis (PF) as part of Team PFF. I hope you will join me as I raise funds to benefit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF).

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a condition that causes lung tissue to become thickened, stiff, and scarred. The lungs eventually lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, making everyday activities such as breathing and walking extremely difficult. It is a progressive disease, which means it tends to worsen over time. Every individual diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis has a unique experience with the disease, and there is no “standard” or expected clinical course. With no known cure,  the disease is often fatal within three to five years of diagnosis. There are over 250,000 Americans living with PF today. Approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

My father (Tom Tully) was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis back in September of 2021, a disease my grandfather had passed away from 11 years prior. When first diagnosed, my dad was told he had 3-5 years left to live. For my mother, two brothers (Chase- 11 years old and Parker- 27 at the time), and myself (23), we were set into panic knowing the time with him was coming to a close. I myself moved back home and tried to spend every free second of the day I had with my dad. With our backs against the wall, my mom (Allyson Tully) and my dad were frequently visiting New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center to get doctors' opinions and insight on how we could prolong Tom's life as long as possible. My dad was put on several drugs to help stop the scarring of his lungs, as well as the aid of oxygen tanks while sleeping and doing any sort of physical activity. These drugs and the aid of oxygen tanks helped slow the scarring and prolong my father's life just a little bit more.

With the help of all the staff at Columbia, my dad was put on a transplant list in July 2023. The process of receiving any transplant is extremely meticulous. Organ recipients are measured on their health (fitness levels, smoking history, health history, etc.) to ensure the organ being donated is going to be most beneficial. After months of waiting, my dad received a lung transplant in September of 2023 to prolong his life a miraculous 20+ years. Even with a lung transplant, my father will still have to battle the effects of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Although my dad was extremely lucky in receiving a lung transplant, most people diagnosed with PF do not. Pulmonary Fibrosis takes the lives of 40,000 Americans each year, around the same amount as breast cancer. The U.S. organ donation and transplant system has seen a big change in the past few years, however if we keep improving this system we can lower the death toll of this awful disease. For more information on the U.S. organ donation and transplant system, please visit: http://unos.org. 

My hope with this fundraiser is to not only raise money but, most importantly, raise awareness to a disease that many people do not know about and that has directly impacted my family's life. 

This fundraiser will be run for the entire month of May. Any donations are extremely appreciated! In 2025, the PFF is celebrating their 25th anniversary, so for every $25 donated, I will be running a mile during the month of June. So, at the end of May the total amount raised will be divided by 25 to amount to the number of miles I will run in June. Follow along through my TikTok @RunAgainstPF .

Because of the work of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), there is hope for those living with PF. Funds raised will support the PFF’s efforts to accelerate research, advance improved care for those living with the disease, and provide unequaled support and education resources for patients, caregivers, family members, and healthcare providers.

But we can't do this without you! Only with your support can we keep the PFF's mission active. Please click the "Donate" button to make your gift today. Thank you in advance for your generous support!

For more information on how your support will make a difference in the lives of PF patients and their families, please visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.