March 24, 2024 ~ There are 1 million Michigan residents who have a rare disease, that is a disease which affects less than 200 thousand people. One of those diseases is Cystic Fibrosis. Laura is the founder and CEO of The Bonnell Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, an organization that provides tools to navigate the difficulties of living with CF. The Bonnell Foundation offers education scholarships to those affected by CF, medical assistance, and lung transplant grants. Laura talks about her organization and her work in helping establish a rare disease advisory council in Michigan. Listeners can learn more at Thebonnellfoundation.org. Emmie Hicks is the mother of two children, Jackie, 8, and Loretta, 6, who both have Leigh's disease, a rare and severe neurological disorder. This condition typically means a shortened life expectancy. Hicks discusses the difficulties she's had in getting treatment and other services for her children.