Darren refuses to let CF set his limits

Meet Darren, a Vancouver-based runner, fundraiser, former competitive Irish dancer and someone who lives with cystic fibrosis (CF). He's energetic, optimistic, and always looking for his next challenge, especially when he can turn it into an opportunity to give back to the CF community.  

And his latest challenge was his biggest yet: travel from Port Hardy to Mile 0 in Victoria, British Columbia in just 11 days, running at least a marathon every day. He made it about halfway across Vancouver Island on foot before an injury forced him to change plans. So, he got on a bike. 

“I was determined and stuck to completing what I wanted to do no matter what.” 

And that determination extends far beyond running. Darren lives with cystic fibrosis, a disease that has shaped his life, but one he refuses to allow to decide what his life can look like. 

Running changed everything 

Darren grew up in North Vancouver and spent 10 years as a competitive Irish dancer.   

After leaving dancing at 17, he tried going to the gym but felt he was “going through the motions.” Then, in 2022, he spontaneously decided to run around Vancouver’s Stanley Park Seawall. Something clicked. Since then, Darren has completed six marathons, ran 65-kilometres from Aldergrove to English Bay for his first running fundraiser, and most recently took on the challenge of running across Vancouver Island.  

It has also become an important part of managing his health, Darren shared that since he started running, his lung function has increased almost 20% and he feels healthier than ever.  

But being healthy and living with CF aren’t mutually exclusive.  

You can do everything “right” and CF can still hit.  

This past year has been difficult for Darren. He’s been getting sick more frequently than he normally does, a reminder of just how unpredictable cystic fibrosis can be.  That’s something he wishes more people understood.    

Someone with CF can stay active, eat well, follow their treatment plan, and do everything they can to protect their health and still get sick.  

Darren takes Trikafta, a therapy for CF, and he recognizes the role it’s played in improving health for many people living with this disease. But he is also clear about something:  

Trikafta is not a cure.  

There is still more work to do and more research needed, for everyone affected by CF. For Darren, CF doesn’t always look the way people might expect it to. Most days, he doesn’t experience noticeable difficulties. But, when he becomes sick, it’s a quick path to being very sick.  

CF can be largely invisible, but that doesn’t make its impact invisible to the person living with it.  

Turning the thing he loves into something bigger 

Long before running became part of his life, Darren was already fundraising for cystic fibrosis research. He hosted Darren's Fabulous Fundraiser, a pub night with DJs, dancing and prizes. But as running became a bigger part of who he was, he started bringing that passion into his fundraising. 

His latest fundraiser was his biggest challenge yet: running 11 marathons in 11 days across Vancouver Island. Along the way, he faced a foot injury which meant he couldn’t continue running.  

Instead of ending the fundraiser, Darren adapted. After already running half the island, he switched to a bike and kept moving until he reached his finish line. The pivot is now one of the parts of the experience he’s most proud of.  

He didn’t do it alone 

At checkpoints along the way was Darren’s friend Will, crewing the journey, helping Darren refuel and making sure he remembered to take his pills.  

Will hadn’t originally been part of the plan, Darren used Instagram to ask for volunteers, and Will offered to crew the entire challenge. “I could not have done it without him”.  

Joined by more friends along the way, and encouraged by strangers’ words throughout the journey, Darren shared the kindness reminded him of how supportive the CF community can be. 

A message to others living with CF  

Darren’s message to others living with CF is simple: "No matter what you want to do, you can do it. It may be challenging and hard work, but if you put your mind into something, you can do anything you want to do no matter what. You do not have to limit yourself because of CF"  

He knows that pursuing a goal can be difficult. His own journey certainly didn’t go according to plan. But that doesn’t mean that goal has to disappear. And Vancouver Island isn’t Darren’s only finish line.  

He wants to continue taking on long-distance running challenges and raising funds forcystic fibrosis research. Eventually, he has an even bigger goal: to run across Canada. 

From all of us at Cystic Fibrosis Canada 

Darren’s journey is an incredible example of what can happen when someone takes something they love and turns it into something bigger. We’re so grateful to Darren and everyone who supported this challenge and helped raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis research. It’s because of fundraisers like Darren and the people who rally behind them that we can continue investing in research and working toward a future where everyone impacted by CF can live without limits.