Exton resident Maddy Palmer, a 25-year-old software engineer, helps cystic fibrosis patients deal with their medical bills. Her outreach is via a nonprofit she has created, Creating Sunshine Forever. Jessica Boyington reported on this altruism for 6ABC.

Palmer’s predisposition to aid cystic fibrosis patients and families stems from her own diagnosis with it. Both she and her sister have the condition, which presently does not have a cure.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that damages both a person’s lungs and digestive system. Only about 30,000 people in the U.S. have it.

“(It) attacks the whole body, and we have a lot of mucus in our lungs,” said Palmer. “So it makes it really hard to breathe.”

Thanks to new drugs and treatments, however, Palmer and her sister live comfortably with minimal visits to the hospital.

This quality-of-life improvement inspired Palmer to help others.

She founded her nonprofit in October 2020 to help people with cystic fibrosis by covering their medical bills, as well as everyday financial obligations such as buying groceries. She raises money through events, fundraisers, and social media outlets.

So far, the nonprofit has collected around $30,000 in donations and has distributed these funds to 15 people with the illness.

Read more about Creating Sunshine Forever at 6ABC.