Breathecon 2020 (September 25-26, 2020)
BreatheCon logo, Courtesy Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
BreatheCon is a free, two-day virtual event where adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) ages 18 and older come together to discuss their unique experiences through open and honest dialogue, while celebrating the power of community and connection. Hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) in collaboration with CF adult volunteers, BreatheCon 2020 occurred on September 25-26, 2020 and was co-chaired by Kasey Raffensperger and Tannaz Motevalli.
Artwork by Melanie Hower, Courtesy Melanie Hower
The key themes of BreatheCon 2020 were diversity and inclusion, storytelling, mental health and healing, and “more than our CF”. You can read our co-chair letter for more info on the year’s vision.
BreatheCon 2020 featured keynote panels, group chats, fun activities, and small-group video breakouts on issues that are unique to people living with cystic fibrosis. The Friday night keynote was called “What Does Community Mean to You? Stories from Adults with CF,” in which the co-chairs were joined by Rowan Greenlaw, Elizabeth Reyna, and Terry Wright to discuss how, from their own unique perspectives, they feel connected and/or struggle to connect with the wider CF community. The Saturday night keynote was called “Stories from Adults with CF on Mental Health and Healing,” in which adults with CF—Jena Armstong, Anna Battista, Nicholas Kelly, and Natalie Park—discuss their own experiences with mental health, trauma, and healing.
Some other notable panels and discussions were “Live Long and Prosper: Planning for a New Future with Advanced Treatment Options,” “Our Journeys to Social Justice,” “Transplant Life is Yours to Live: How We Do It!”, “Balancing Act: Thriving with CFRD,” “Challenging and Overcoming the Sick Person Narrative,” and “Accepting a Late Diagnosis.” Lastly, a new feature of BreatheCon 2020 were affinity groups, spaces for adults with CF to meet and connect over other topics of shared interest and shared identities; some of these groups included “People of Color,” “Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing,” “Book Lovers,” “LGBTQI+,” “Athletes,” “Faith and Religion,” etc. You can view the full agenda here with complete descriptions and panelist names and bios.
A special thanks to the CFF Virtual Events Staff team, the work groups members—Anna Battista, April Biggs, Linda Bowman, Sebastian Eubank, Tara Goodwin, Drew Hanley, James Lawlor, David Mabo, Kristen Mudrack, Xan Nowakowski, Molly Pam, Rod Spadinger, Chelsea Spruance, Lisa Stackhouse, and John Tyler—, and all the amazing panelists, speakers, activity and workshop leaders, and facilitators.