Sitting in a bar in Toronto over 40 years ago my father (Bill Skelly) struck up a conversation with a Dr. Crozier. The doctor explained that he was treating young children with a deadly disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The body produces sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening infections and also obstructs the pancreas and stops the body from breaking down and absorbing food. Few children are living long enough to attend their first years of elementary school.
My father invited Dr. Crozier to speak at a Kinsmen meeting in Toronto and from that day on the word spread across Kin in Canada, today Kinsmen and CF have an extensive working relationship.
Just out of High School my father gave me the opportunity to help the CF office organize a golf tournament as a fund raiser. This was my first opportunity to understand the disease, meet and work with families affected with CF.
When I walked into the CF office I said hello to a young woman working at her desk. I introduced myself to her, she said her name was Lucia. Shaking her hand I thought I would break her wrist. I joked and told her she needs to put some weight on. She shyly said she has CF. From that day on Lucia and I started a relationship that would change both our lives forever.
World's Longest Women's and World's Longest Ice Hockey game!! 2011
