Running Toward a Fuller Life With Cystic Fibrosis

Fifty years ago, most people born with cystic fibrosis did not live beyond childhood. Today, patients like Ryan Matthews are training for marathons — and redefining what life with cystic fibrosis can look like.

Ryan, 31, lives with cystic fibrosis and receives care through the Tampa General Hospital Lung Institute, home to the TGH Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center. Thanks to advances in treatment, specialized pulmonary care and a commitment to staying active, he is preparing to run his third marathon while managing a complex, lifelong condition.

“It’s empowering,” Ryan said. “Running makes my lungs feel clearer and it’s really helpful for the mental health side of things. It’s definitely improved my quality of life.”

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects the lungs, digestive system and other organs, requiring daily management and specialized care. While the disease remains serious and complex, the outlook for people with cystic fibrosis has changed dramatically. Improved screening, earlier diagnosis and new therapies now allow many patients to live longer, fuller and more active lives.

At Tampa General and USF Health, patients with cystic fibrosis benefit from comprehensive care that includes long-term management, advanced therapies and personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.

“Over the last five decades, cystic fibrosis care has transformed,” said Dr. Chakrapol Sriaroon, pulmonologist and medical director of the TGH Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center and associate professor of pulmonology with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “We now have therapies that target the underlying cause of the disease, not just the symptoms. These advances are changing both life expectancy and quality of life for many patients.”

Ryan has benefited from modern CF treatments, including highly effective modulator therapies, targeted medicines that address the root cause of the condition. Combined with regular exercise and close medical oversight, those therapies have helped him maintain stability and pursue goals that once may have seemed out of reach.

“Individuals with cystic fibrosis are living longer, healthier lives than ever before,” Sriaroon said. “With the right care, many patients can work, build families and stay physically active well into adulthood.”

Tampa General delivers that care through its role as Florida’s premier academic health system, in partnership with USF Health. This collaboration brings leading-edge research, clinical expertise and innovation directly to patient care — ensuring individuals with cystic fibrosis have access to the most current treatment options available.

Ryan hopes his story helps others understand that a cystic fibrosis diagnosis does not define a person’s limits.

“Everyone’s experience with cystic fibrosis is different,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean you can’t push yourself or live a full life.”

Through advanced pulmonary care, compassionate specialists and ongoing innovation, Tampa General and USF Health continue to help patients like Ryan move forward — one step, and sometimes one marathon, at a time.

More Than a Finish Line

As Ryan Matthews trains for his next marathon, he’s also raising awareness and support for people living with cystic fibrosis. Learn more about Ryan’s journey and advocacy through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Berlin Marathon initiative:  Ryan Matthews’ fundraising page.