Rula Saru
Staff Reporter
Kelly Collins, a 19-year-old freshman from New Jersey, had always thought giving a presentation in front of her class was nerve wracking, but she hadn’t experienced fear yet.
On Saturday February 27, Kelly Collins stood in front of approximately 1000 people and gave a speech as she accepted the “Michael Brennan Courage Award” in New York. The award marks one of many victories in Collins’ life as she lives with Cystic Fibrosis.
Kelly stated, “It takes responsibility, dedication and strength each and every day [to live with CF].”
Saturday’s award ceremony honored three people, including Collins, whose ages ranged from 18 to 37.
Collins is an avid fan of exercise and she is majoring in Exercise Science and Physical Education at McDaniel College.
Decked out in a red gown and joined by her boyfriend, Thomas Orrok, her parents, Kevin and Kathleen Collins, her brother, Kasey Collins, and her high school teacher, Sharon Alfieri, Collins told the crowd in New York, “I set my bar high…I do not let CF define me. I live my life detached from the disease.”
Collins dedicated this award to her brother, Kevin, who lost his battle to CF a year ago. “If it were not for him, I would not be standing here tonight,” Kelly explained.
Kevin always hoped to raise awareness about CF and Kelly has always followed in his footsteps.
Every year Kelly is apart of “Team Collins” which participates in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations annual Great Strides walk. Kelly recruits as many people as possible each year in order to raise as much money as possible for the foundation.
Days after the ceremony and still overwhelmed, Collins said, “[the award] means a lot…I never imagined I would be awarded, I was shocked.”
A glossy publication distributed at the award ceremony notes that “Kelly has not let cystic fibrosis keep her from achieving on the basketball court, in academics or in a variety of extracurricular activities.”
When commenting about Kelly’s goal to “make a significant difference in others’ lives,” the publication notes, “As far as we’re concerned she’s already there.”
The Boomer Esiason Foundation’s aim is to “heighten awareness, education, and quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis” while providing research and financial support in aim of finding a cure for the disease. For more information visit http://www.esiason.org/