Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Arizona Chapter

Join the next CF Circle for a virtual, small-group discussion about the Black CF Experience. On June 23 at 7 p.m. ET, Black adults with CF, as well as parents and caregivers of Black children with CF, are invited to talk openly with peers about shared experiences like misdiagnosis, delays in treatment, self-advocacy in medical settings, and navigating life with CF.

This CF Awareness Month, we’re shedding light on the unseen struggles of cystic fibrosis. Bradley Poole navigated life with CF alongside anxiety, OCD, and depression. Through treatment, mental health support, and fitness, he’s learned how to turn struggle into strength.


“I was born with cystic fibrosis, so hospitalizations, treatments, and uncertainty were part of my normal. But what people didn’t see was the mental side of that fight. The anxiety, the depression, and the constant question in the back of my mind: Why me? There was also the fear that came with it — fear of dying young, fear of not having control over my future.”

What CF and Mental Health Taught Me About Strength I’ve spent my life navigating cystic fibrosis alongside anxiety, OCD, and depression — struggles that once led me to numb everything with alcohol until a wake‑up call changed everything. Through treatment, mental health support, and fitness, I’ve learned how to turn struggle into strength.