Here’s a photo I took at last Saturday night’s Cystic Fibrosis 2011 Breath of Life Gala in Denver, Colorado. This is the event that Melinda and I attended, present to show our love, support and respect for Bill and Teresa Elder, longtime friends of the Smallman family. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Bill & Teresa’s son Bill, Jr (Billy) has cystic fibrosis. Born in 1987, Billy was diagnosed, I believe, in the early 1990’s. Since then, Bill and Teresa have worked tirelessly in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. On Saturday night they were being honored for their years of service.

At age 24, Billy’s health is very good and thanks in no small part to his parents’ efforts. On Saturday night he was called on stage to make a speech to the several hundred of us who had gathered for the event. He talked about a new drug that has been tested to be very effective in the treatment of CF, one that looks likely headed for FDA approval. This is exciting news.

I snapped this picture as Billy was talking, doing my best to include Bill, his proud father, in the foreground. Truth be told, it was a proud moment for all of us connected to the Elder family.