Sparrow Projects
Keira P.
Condition: Cystic Fibrosis
City, State: Cave Junction, OR
Club: Illinois Valley High School
Sparrow Club Service Hours: 634
Date Adopted: 2/29/2012
Keira's Story:
At four years of age, Keira is a beautiful little girl who is sweet, smart, and self-aware. Even at this young age, she knows that her life is different than most, given the fact that she is one of only 30,000 people in the United States to be living with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is an inherited, progressive, and life-threatening multisystem disease, which primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems. CF causes irreversible damage to the lungs and is also characterized by chronic malabsorption of nutrients, which leads to chronic malnutrition and growth issues.
Daily percussive techniques and nebulized medicinal treatments (necessary in order to keep her lungs, intestinal track, and airway clear of excessive mucus) are things that Keira endures without complaint. She also readily accepts the fact that she must take special medication with every meal in order to help with digestion and help fight against malnutrition.
Keira must be seen a minimum of four times per year at the CF Specialty Center in Portland, and unfortunately, makes frequent trips to the emergency room when she is at home. Doctors say that at some point, Keira will become diabetic and, as the disease progresses, might eventually need a lung transplant.
In spite of all of this, Keira is an example of a child who loves life and loves people. Keira has a tender heart and her parents describe her as someone who is always trying to provide comfort to those around her. Keira loves dancing, horses, and is bilingual, able to speak both English and Spanish.
Students at Illinois Valley High School are excited to adopt Keira as their Sparrow and will work hard to raise money for her through community service and fundraising projects.
IVHS’s Sparrow Club is co-sponsored by the Christensen family (who is also a current Sparrow family living with CF) and retired employees of Illinois Valley High School, with additional support from many businesses and people in the Cave Junction community.
Daily percussive techniques and nebulized medicinal treatments (necessary in order to keep her lungs, intestinal track, and airway clear of excessive mucus) are things that Keira endures without complaint. She also readily accepts the fact that she must take special medication with every meal in order to help with digestion and help fight against malnutrition.
Keira must be seen a minimum of four times per year at the CF Specialty Center in Portland, and unfortunately, makes frequent trips to the emergency room when she is at home. Doctors say that at some point, Keira will become diabetic and, as the disease progresses, might eventually need a lung transplant.
In spite of all of this, Keira is an example of a child who loves life and loves people. Keira has a tender heart and her parents describe her as someone who is always trying to provide comfort to those around her. Keira loves dancing, horses, and is bilingual, able to speak both English and Spanish.
Students at Illinois Valley High School are excited to adopt Keira as their Sparrow and will work hard to raise money for her through community service and fundraising projects.
IVHS’s Sparrow Club is co-sponsored by the Christensen family (who is also a current Sparrow family living with CF) and retired employees of Illinois Valley High School, with additional support from many businesses and people in the Cave Junction community.
Sponsor(s):
The Christensen FamilyHelping Kids help kids In Medical Need
Sparrow Clubs exist to set the stage for simple yet heroic acts of kindness in schools and youth culture by empowering kids to help kids in medical need.