August 21, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Laura Bonnell. Laura is a former news reporter at WJR and freelance writer for many local papers and magazines. Laura started her Foundation in 2010 and three years ago decided to work full time on The Bonnell Foundation: Living with cystic fibrosis. The Bonnell Foundation helps cystic fibrosis families with lung transplant grants, financial assistance and college scholarships. Laura is also a full time advocate which includes trying to get Michigan lawmakers to make the Rare Disease Advisory Council law. This would give a voice to the 1 million people with rare diseases in Michigan. Bonnell is also pushing to raise awareness about people of color who are underdiagnosed in the U.S. and people in the Middle East who just recently discovered CF existed. The average life expectancy for a person with CF in the U.S. today is 53 years old. In Egypt it's 8 years old.