Pearl Cooley was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just two months old. From the very beginning, she faced challenges with growth, digestion, and severe lung disease that required daily treatments, medications, and chest physiotherapy.
As her disease progressed, breathing became increasingly difficult. By just 18 years old, Pearl received her first double lung transplant. Two years later, she underwent a second double lung transplant.
But as Pearl reminds us, a lung transplant is not a cure. It is a life-saving treatment.
Today, she continues to live with cystic fibrosis. While she has been grateful for years of stability, her lung function has declined, and she continues to fight for access to medications like Trikafta — a treatment that has transformed the lives of many people with CF, but which remains out of reach for some transplant recipients.
Despite everything she has faced, Pearl has built a career helping others. She works as an athletic trainer supporting hockey teams across the GTA and as a part-time medical assistant, all while advocating for the CF community.
Pearl's journey is a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a person with dreams, resilience, and a determination to make a difference.