My Story

I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 7 months old. As a child, I was lucky to have the support of my parents who kept me on a strict regimen of medicines and treatment- they weren't an option, they were "normal" to me. I had very few problems and was admitted to the hospital for the first time at age 13 for CFRD (cystic fibrosis related diabetes) and an antibiotic "clean out". I continued through school having yearly “clean outs” and went on to college. In college, I was able to get assistance with my PT, which allowed me to live on campus. I began running and joined the track and field team as a distance runner. After graduating, I started working in Philadelphia and had various surgeries for sinuses, tonsils, and other minor things but maintained an active lifestyle. I exercised daily and participated in various sports in the Manayunk Sport and Social league.

In 2005, I married my wonderfully supportive husband, Robb Korlewitz, and moved to Maryland. I took on a new challenge of getting certified to teach Spinning and BodyPump classes. I taught 3 classes a week, which greatly improved my endurance and lung capacity. I had minor setbacks with the removal of a collapsed lung, but still remained active until March 2011, when I was forced to face the reality of cystic fibrosis. I had a long bout with pneumonia which led to respiratory failure. I was transferred to the MICU at Johns Hopkins and was intubated. I lived on a respirator until I could breathe on my own. After I was stabilized, I returned back to the hospital floor, and after 25 long days, I was discharged on home IV antibiotics.

After that, I had recurring hospital stays from pneumonia and was never able to achieve the same level of physical activity as before. My lungs began to decline, and in October 2012, and my doctors suggested I start the evaluation process for a double lung transplant. Monthly hospitalizations forced me to stop working. I was placed on oxygen and was constantly on IVs. My second chance at life came on November 29, 2012, when I received a life-saving double lung transplant by the doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I can't thank my donor and their family enough for giving me this second chance at life!

Special Thanks

Wilson Southern Middle School, West Lawn, PA for their participation in "Casual for a Cause Day."

Brian and Jan Biddulph-Krentar for organizing "Libations for Lungs."

Denyse Drennan for holding a Silpada fundraiser.

Nicole Lash for organizing March Madness.

About COTA

With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses. In multiple cities and states, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local woman, Lynne Korlewitz.

An estimated $80,000 is being raised to help pay for transplant related expenses by Crofton, MD and Philadelphia, Lititz, and Stevens, PA volunteers.