Remembering Matt McCloskey of Take a Breather

Living With Cystic Fibrosis

Shortly after we did this podcast Matt died from complications of cystic fibrosis. With permission from his sisters, and dear friend Jennifer Bleecher (featured in this podcast) we are now airing this podcast to shine a light about what a great man Matt was. He speaks in this podcast about concern for his health. Thanks to Jenn, his family and to Matt for all he gave to the world and especially the CF community. You are missed and will never be forgotten.

From his sisters Molly McBryan and Ame Austin:

"After an extremely long hard fought battle with cystic fibrosis, Matt McCloskey succumbed to this terrible disease on February 7th, 2024. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He will be remembered for a lot of things; one of which was his passion for the Take A Breather foundation in which he started.

The concept of Take A Breather started for Matt in 2012, when his own health battle with CF really took a turn. Knowing first hand what it is like to live with this disease, it was his dream and vision to offer families living with cystic fibrosis, a temporary escape, a breather, from the everyday struggles and emotional burdens of their disease. Matt put his heart and soul into this Foundation and is truly what drove him despite his own health issues. Because of Matt, thousands of lives have been forever impacted due to his selflessness of wanting to bring joy to so many living with CF. He worked tirelessly and countless hours for the Take A Breather Foundation and the CF community. Throughout the years, we heard from many recipients/families the huge impact Matt’s mission had on their lives but we know there were countless others whom we did not hear from because he also worked quietly behind the scenes to motivate, answer questions, or just listen. There are no words to express the profound impact this loss will have on all those who knew and loved him and to the CF community."

This was written prior to his passing:

Matt and Jen have a great story to tell.

Two people with CF, living their separate lives, and then they began working together to make a difference in the lives of people with CF.

Matt McCloskey was born in 1968 and grew up in Philadelphia, he has several other siblings, and one he never met because he died from CF at 2 months old.

In 2015 Matt received a lung transplant. Matt's in his 50's now, but his life expectancy was 6 years old.

He is currently running the Take A Breather Foundation.

Jen Bleecher, who is 52 years old, is the Community Outreach Volunteer for Take a Breather. Jen is married, and has a 27-year-old daughter . Jen worked as a nurse for over 20 years.

Jen had a double lung transplant, she has pivoted to volunteering some of her time helping with the Community Outreach initiatives, such as building relationships within the CF and broader communities, assisting in planning of fundraising events, and overseeing Take A Breather’s School Club program.

To contact Matt and Jen: https://takeabreatherfromcf.org

Please consider making a donation: https://thebonnellfoundation.org/donate/

The Bonnell Foundation website: https://thebonnellfoundation.org

Bonnell Foundation email: [e-mail]

Thanks to our sponsors:

Vertex: https://www.vrtx.com

Viatris: https://www.viatris.com/en

Please like, subscribe, and comment on our shows, wherever you get your podcasts.

Please consider making a donation: https://thebonnellfoundation.org/donate/

The Bonnell Foundation website:https://thebonnellfoundation.org

Email us at: [e-mail]

Thanks to our sponsors:

Vertex: https://www.vrtx.com

Viatris: https://www.viatris.com/en