Eva’s writing a source of inspiration for Connecticut student living with CF

A few weeks ago we got a Twitter message that touched our hearts: Taylor Brophy (pictured here), a soon-to-be high school graduate in Connecticut, contacted us to share that she had written a short essay about Eva.

She is applying for a CFCareForward undergraduate scholarship and was asked to write about a person who had inspired her. She found a role model in Eva, a fellow young woman living with CF who worked hard to balance her health and achieve her goals.

She has generously given us permission to share her essay on the 65_RedRoses blog. Read it below:

Eva Markvoort will always be my inspiration to pursue my goals and further my education. I never knew Eva personally, but three summers ago I began to read her weblog about her struggles she faced as a Cystic Fibrosis patient awaiting a double-lung transplant. The blog described her attitudes toward living with CF through photos, poetry, journal entries, and videos and for the first time, I felt there was someone out there who understood what living with CF is like.

Eva began writing 65 Red Roses in 2006, but no person could ever have guessed what an impact her blog would have in the future. Over the next few years her story went viral; Eva’s writing touched the hearts of people in countries all over the world. Now, her name is known as an advocate for organ donation and her story has been translated into a powerful documentary set to air in the U.S. next month.

When I read her story, my heart broke for her when she described how saddened she was when she became too sick to continue her classes at university and had to move back home with her parents. I knew then that I had to keep myself healthy enough to attend college and to continue my education. Since I began my freshman year in September, my health has been better than it has been in close to eight years. Eva’s story of strength and courage motivates me to do my best every day.

We love hearing from people who have been following Eva’s journey since her pre-documentary Livejournal days. The friendships and connections Eva made through her blog helped her cope with the challenges of CF, and she treasured her online community.

Thank you Taylor, for sharing with us what Eva has meant to you and your life! We wish you all the best in pursuing your education and hope you fulfill all your dreams.

Do you have a story about how Eva touched your life? We’d love to hear it! Please contact us at outreach@65redroses.com, or send us a message through our Facebook Page!