Live Fearlessly Foundation

This #SelfCareSunday, we are delighted to share a video from our friends at the @LiveFearlesslyFoundation . As individuals living with cystic fibrosis, Alexis and Jacob exemplify what #LiveFearlessly represents. Alexis shares an integral part of her self-care journey, highlighting how yoga has become a cornerstone of her routine. Through the breath work and mindful movements, yoga has become an essential part of her daily regimen, enhancing both her mental and physical well-being as a CF’er. You can learn more about the #LiveFearlesslyFoundation on their Instagram page. #CFAwarenessMonth 🧘 yoga studio: @terrasolsanctuary 📹 @vernon.films

Hi everyone! My name is Katie Venditti, and I’m honored to step into the role of President of the Live Fearlessly Foundation. I want to share that the LFF team and I are fully committed to continuing Jacob’s dream and taking Live Fearlessly to the moon. 🚀🌙✨ Since I haven’t been as active with LFF over the past few years, I wanted to share a bit about myself. I’m 30 years old and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. Today, I’m incredibly grateful to be the mom of a miracle baby who is now 18 months old. I love spending time outdoors, surfing, camping, practicing yoga, chasing sunsets, and continually working to expand my mind, body, and spirit. I’m deeply passionate about mental health and firmly believe that movement is medicine. Five years ago, I began taking Trikafta, what I call my “miracle medicine” and it changed my life forever. My lung function increased from an average of 45% to 78%, allowing me to breathe easily for the first time in my life. That transformation inspired me to return to school and earn my degree in Recreation Therapy so I could pursue my goal of helping others while spending as much time in nature as possible. Jacob and I shared many conversations about integrating Recreation Therapy into the foundation’s work to create meaningful impact. While it breaks my heart that we won’t be able to pursue that vision together, I remain deeply committed to carrying the dream forward. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this journey possible and for your continued support 💜

At the 2025 Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis, Jacob Venditti gave everything he had. With only 30% lung function, he and his team prone paddled 80 miles across the ocean and finished in 12 hours and 53 minutes - the fastest team of the event. That finish line was more than a celebratory ending to a race. It was @jacob_venditti ’s way of showing gratitude for the breath that carried him and a reminder of what it looks like to keep going even when the odds are stacked against you. Jacob was a CF warrior, an advocate, and a friend. He left it all on the water, and his fearless spirit will carry on through everyone who was touched by his story. 🎥: @tremblaymediaco #livefearlessly #jacobvenditti

Life has a funny way of weaving everything together. Future Islands was always one of Katie and Jacob’s favorite bands. They saw them live together in Wilmington, NC years ago and joked that Jacob was the Tin Man. Last year, Jacob shared the lyrics of the song Balance with Alexis on one of her hardest days. The song became something the three of us could hold onto, all living with cystic fibrosis, all learning how to keep going through things most people never see and a reminder that we weren’t alone in it. Fast forward to July 2025 when Jacob was in the ICU at UNC Chapel Hill on life support after a tragic accident. We created Jacob’s Recovery Playlist, songs we prayed would carry him back to us. Future Islands was all over it… especially Balance. On August 16th, when we had to say goodbye, that song played in his final moments. It was devastating, sacred, and something we still don’t have words for. Then four months later… after ten years… Future Islands returned to Wilmington. And somehow, a serendipitous chain of events led the foundation Jacob started, the Live Fearlessly Foundation, to be part of the Future Islands show. We joined with friends and stood together at Greenfield Lake for both nights of Future Islands. It felt like grief and love sharing the same space for a moment. Their music is theatrical, poetic, and deeply human in a way that stays with you. Some music doesn’t just mark time. It holds it. Thank you to our friends at REV Financial for making Saturday night possible! And thank you to Future Islands for creating powerful and intentional music that soothes the soul.

Every rose has a story… and this one gives back. 💛🌹 Petal Perfections is proudly collaborating with @livefearlesslyfoundation for the 65 Roses Project, supporting those fighting cystic fibrosis and helping raise awareness, support families, fund medicine, and contribute toward research and the fight for a cure. What makes this even more special are these beautiful handmade crochet roses created with love by the wonderful ladies of the Crochet Club at the South Iredell Senior Center in Mooresville, NC. 🧶✨ Each arrangement includes an everlasting crochet rose a symbol of hope, strength, and every breath that matters. A portion of every arrangement sold goes toward supporting this mission. 💛 🌸 Order yours today: 📍 Petal Perfections – Mooresville, NC 💻 📞 Call or stop by the shop to reserve yours. Let’s make a difference… one rose at a time. 🌹 #65RosesProject #CysticFibrosisAwareness #FlowersForACause #mooresvillencflorist #flowers

At just 14 years old, Jackson is already proving that cystic fibrosis won’t define his limits. Between treatments, school, and the daily challenges that come with living with CF, he continues to show up with determination, discipline, and an incredible passion for gymnastics. Jackson is currently working toward becoming a Level 7 gymnast, and watching his dedication to the sport is nothing short of inspiring. Every practice, every routine, and every setback he pushes through is a reminder that strength comes in so many forms. We are so proud of the hard work he’s putting in and cannot wait to watch him reach his Level 7 goals. The future is bright for this fearless athlete. Keep flying, Jackson! We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way. 💜 #CysticFibrosis #CFWarrior #LiveFearlessly

Our hearts are with Lauren and all of David Thomas’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 💔💔💔 David and Lauren have been longtime supporters of the Live Fearlessly Foundation and have meant so much to our founder and this community over the years. We are honored that, in lieu of flowers, Lauren has asked for donations to be made to the foundation in David’s memory. This gesture is truly impactful and we are so grateful to our donors.  We are keeping Garvy and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. 🤍🙏🏼 A memorial service will be held on May 8th at Andrews Mortuary. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM, followed by the service at 3:00 PM. For those who would like to support Lauren directly, a GoFundMe has been created💛:
 https://gofund.me/fc27c2001 I know Jacob is welcoming him w loving arms and his goofy laugh 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Making surfing accessible to everyone 🌊 Fearless Surf is creating an empowering ocean experience for individuals living with cystic fibrosis and rare diseases - focused on confidence, community, and freedom in the water. We’re currently looking for sponsors and partners to help make this day possible. One wave can change everything 🤍 Hosted by @luminawrightsvillebeach @livefearlesslyfoundation @rc_surf_instruction #fearlesssurf #adaptivesurfing #rarediseaseawareness #cysticfibrosis #wrightsvillebeach

In this episode, Alexis shares what it was like growing up with cystic fibrosis when it was still considered terminal. Feeling different, overwhelmed, and trying to navigate it all while the world around her kept moving. But more importantly, this is your reminder during Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month: Support exists. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it’s real. And you are worthy of it. Whether that looks like talk therapy, medication when used properly, community, the people who show up for you, or faith, there are paths forward. You don’t have to carry it alone. 🤍 #CFAwarenessMonth #CysticFibrosis #RareTalks #MentalHealthMatters

COUNTRY NIGHT is Coming home 🏠 this weekend!!! Brought to you by @drinkmerican At Shipfaced WB Saturday 6pm - 10pm. Fresh off Stagecoach in Nashville they got the Milk 🥛 and Chicken 🍗 hot and ready this is about to go down!!! With support from @scottpurcell13 and your favorite old man DJ Meatball we are about to set off UNCW graduation weekend right!! We are also helping benefit @livefearlesslyfoundation who does amazing work in this community. @country.night @thingstodowilmington

Happy Birthday to our incredible President, Katie Venditti 🩵 This past year has asked so much of you and still, you showed up with strength, grace, and courage. Through unimaginable loss, you’ve continued to lead, love your family fiercely, and be an amazing mom, all while navigating life with a chronic illness. That kind of resilience doesn’t go unnoticed. Lately, you’ve been finding your way back to the ocean. Surfing again, soaking up the sun, collecting shells, and embracing the little moments. Exactly where you’re meant to be. We’re so blessed to have you. Today we celebrate you! Everyone wish Katie a happy birthday!!!

Katie opens up about the future of Live Fearlessly. Where we’re headed and what’s possible with the right support behind us. Our goal is to grow our grants into something even more meaningful: experience-based opportunities that create real impact, lasting memories, and a deeper sense of living fully, not just getting by. But to make that happen, we need our community. More support. More donors. More people who believe in what we’re building. We also dream of hiring individuals within the CF community because who better to provide peer-to-peer support and truly understand the mental and emotional side of this journey? This is bigger than grants. It’s about connection, purpose, and changing lives. Help us get there! 💜