In 2016, Kaylee Alvarado was hospitalized for what she thought was a routine cystic fibrosis exacerbation. Unfortunately, it was far more severe than she had ever experienced, and her doctor told her to start considering getting a lung transplant. Kaylee felt hopeless.

For the following three years, her sole focus was keeping herself alive. But when Trikafta, a CFTR modulator that corrects the underlying cause of the disease, was approved in 2019, it changed her outlook.

Kaylee has seen incredible improvements on Trikafta, but it is not a cure. She still experiences exacerbations, sinus symptoms, DIOS, and intense side effects from IV antibiotics. In this video, she explains the importance of clinical trials and her goals for the future.

This video was featured in Plenary 2 of the 2022 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference.