Hardin-Simmons Freshman Reagan Laminack Honored as 2025 Thriving CF Scholar By: Delani Bauer

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to move salt and water in and out of cells, creating sticky mucus buildup. This mucus can clog airways and block important organs, making everyday functions like breathing and digestion difficult.

CF primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect the pancreas, gallbladder, liver, intestines and reproductive organs. Individuals living with CF must manage special nutritional needs to help deal with their condition, allowing them to live healthy lives.

AbbieVie CF Commitment is an organization dedicated to helping individuals with CF thrive through the management of diet, exercise and nutrition.  Each year AbbieVie CF awards 40 scholars with a $3,000 scholarship.  

Two scholars, both a graduate and undergraduate, are awarded as ‘thriving student scholars.’  These scholars are selected by valid public votes (30 percent of scoring) and cumulative points awarded by the judging panel (70 percent of scoring.)

The 2025 Thriving Undergraduate Scholar is Hardin-Simmons University freshman Christian studies major from Wall, Reagan Laminack.  

CF has taught Laminack many lessons, “Living with cystic fibrosis has been my defining challenge, a constant companion that has shaped my perspective and taught me invaluable lessons,” Laminack said.

Laminack has learned to focus on the positives, “I made a conscious decision to greet each day with a smile and a 'can-do' attitude,” Laminack said. “Maintaining that positive outlook wasn't always easy. There were days when the weight of my illness felt overwhelming, the treatments seemed endless, and the future felt uncertain. But I learned to lean on my support system—my family, my friends, and my healthcare team—who reminded me of my strength and resilience. I also discovered the power of gratitude, focusing on the good things in my life, no matter how small, and finding joy in the simple pleasures.”

Laminack has received many great accolades.  She received 1st place in the Young Writer's Competition Personal Narrative at Angelo State University in 2025 and was named the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America ( FCCLA) Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Event Repurpose and Redesign State Champion in 2023.

To learn more about Reagan’s inspiring story and the AbbieVie CF Commitment visit https://www.abbviecfcommitment.com/cfscholarship/scholars/2025/reagan-l.