Laura Bonnell, Founder of the Bonnell Foundation talks about the need and scarcity of PPE in the CF community.  Bonnell was asked to speak in the National Organization for Rare Disease Disorders (NORD).  You can see her at about 25:45 in this video.

When the pandemic hit our country and Michigan most people were not stocked up on disinfectant wipes and other PPE. The cystic fibrosis community was scared because they regularly required N95 masks and PPE. We didn’t realize there would be a shortage, and panic set in.

This video is the story about how we found the PPE we needed.

This is the video of Emily getting the newly approved medication Trikafta that they have waited 24 years for. Emily’s Mom surprised her at an MSU tailgate with the new drug. Emily had no idea when it would arrive and she said she wouldn’t believe it until it was in her hand.

Emily and Laura Bonnell are supporting the Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Coalition. See their commercials.

Emily Bonnell tells the story of her life with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI).

Laura Bonnell shares her story of being the parent of a child with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI).

The Bonnell Foundation held their first Night of Hope Celebration in 2019 to help raise money for families in need of medical assistance, lung transplant grants and college scholarships.

Melissa Yaeger speaks at the Bonnell Foundation Night of Hope Celebration 2019. Her daughter, who inspired the movie “Five Feet Apart” (Claire Wineland), recently died at age 21 from CF.

Dylan Mortimer, 40 year old artist who had his second lung transplant in April 2019 speaks at the Bonnell Foundation Night of Hope Celebration 2019 about the trauma and joy of his CF journey.

Kevf (who has CF) entertains at the first annual Bonnell Foundation Night of Hope Celebration 2019 with some of his original songs spreading a message of love, hope and understanding.

The rain held out as the 2nd Annual Bonnell Foundation celebrity softball took place at Victory Park in Canton.
It was so much fun and we can’t thank Team Media and Law Enforcement enough.  I have no idea what the final score was!  At one point Law Enforcement was winning, then the media came back strong and we were tied 5-5.  After that — everyone kept calling it  a tie game!  Honestly, I think we all won Saturday.  It was a day full of love, friendship, compassion, selflessness, spirit and simply some amazing people who helped raise over $7,000 for the Bonnell Foundation.  Each person on the team added something special: the largest amount raised, the most enthusiasm as a challenged player, help promoting this on the radio or TV, encouragement, donated mitts and a wonderful display of team spirit.  Ya can’t beat that.

Everyone said they’d play again next year!  SO…see you next year.

A huge thank you to Victory Park staff (Karen, Ann Marie and Drew) and to the Ump who donated his fee right back to the Foundation. Thank you Chuck Gossett. Thanks to State Farm Agent David Arce and Holiday Market for sponsoring the event.

Sincerely,

Laura Bonnell and the entire Board

(Click on the link below to view game video shot by Emily Bonnell)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf4aVF5eja0  Alan Longstreet, Fox 2 News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–yW1nd3tXw  DPD Officer Adam Madera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1CfMperxhI  Coop 98.7 Amp Radio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrQmH9p0rfA  Detroit Arson Chief Charles Simms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Gv5q4iUEw  Agent Paul “Wisey” Wissmueller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLi4Z9hTWec  Agent Wisey and Jeff Riger, 97.1 The Ticket

https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U   Law Enforcment

View a snapshot of a day in the life with Cystic Fibrosis: