At Vertex, one of our core values is our uncompromising commitment to patients, and that goes beyond care. Since 2017, the Vertex Foundation Scholarship Program has proudly supported people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families (siblings, caregivers, spouses and children) in pursuing two-year, four-year or graduate degrees by offsetting some of the costs of attending college or graduate school.
This year’s scholarship recipients aim to build greater CF awareness, capture real stories about the daily challenges of living with this disease, and educate others on what’s possible.
An avid storyteller focused on representation
Antonina believes that “theater is activism.” In supporting communities to raise awareness, she finds hope. Antonina’s call-to-action is to focus on pursuing a theater degree so that she can be a storyteller who inspires.
“I have one central goal; create spaces for underrepresented and misrepresented voices, such as those within the CF community, to be heard. Theatre is a medium which all can understand, all can enjoy, and most importantly, all can learn a new outlook from. Shedding awareness on the barriers which CF poses on a life and simply creating awareness by devising theatre…I want to tell real, authentic stories, which call for change, and my education enables me to learn all the steps to doing so,” she said.
Antonina knows that her family’s story is not the only one, and her desire to elevate her brother’s experience, and the perspectives of others living with CF, is what matters most.
Using film for greater visibility
For Kyla, rock climbing is an activity that teaches balance, strength, and resilience. Something she deliberately strives for that is deeply rooted in her connection to her brother and his inspiration in her life. Watching her brother navigate the burden of CF has pushed her to perceive challenges with a new outlook – one that is determined to overcome obstacles and push boundaries.
Kyla is pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship and Motion Pictures to become a filmmaker who focuses on “addressing challenges that individuals with CF face every day,” she said.
“By using film as a platform, I aim to raise awareness about CF, portray the realities faced by those affected, and inspire others to pursue their dreams despite the obstacles they encounter. I want to create stories that not only educate but also motivate individuals with CF to see themselves as strong, resilient, and deserving of success in all areas of life…showing [my brother] that he is more than his diagnosis. I aim to shift perceptions of those with health conditions and empower those that have one.”
Advocating for patients and the impossible
As a kid, Talmage spent a lot of time in the hospital with his father. “Growing up watching my dad do hours of treatments, spend weeks in the hospital, and constantly being told he was a walking miracle really got old. How long would my father's miracle last? These thoughts were on my mind constantly,” he shared. Talmage credits his hospital exposure at an early age, alongside witnessing the impact to his father’s quality of life, as the reason he’s studying biology and aiming to get into the medical field. He believes this will give him many opportunities to help the CF community by advocating for research and funding.
“I hope to help provide solutions to meet specific needs of those with CF, especially those that create greater quality of life. I plan on sharing my family’s success stories – helping others see CF patients not just living normal lives and doing normal things but living extraordinary lives and doing the impossible. True success will be measured as the CF community becomes the community at large – individuals that are able to live normal lives and easily manage their disease. I am excited to help with that in any way I can.”
About the Vertex Foundation Scholarship
The Vertex Foundation awards scholarships to help support the education of students in the U.S. and Canada who are impacted by CF. To date, more than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded.
For more information about the Vertex Foundation Scholarship Program and how to apply, visit https://www.vertexfoundation.org/healthy-families. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will become available in January 2026.