Gabriella Balasa

Country: United States

Gabriella, who also goes by Ella, is living with cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare genetic lung condition which makes mucus thick and difficult to remove. People living with CF have recurrent lung infections, leading to permanent damage to lung tissues. Ella has spent weeks in hospitals throughout her life, getting antibiotics for these infections which are becoming increasingly difficult to treat.

A few years ago, a particularly severe episode was not getting better with ‘last resort’ antibiotics and she resorted to an experimental treatment with bacteriophages, which are viruses that attack bacteria. Since then Ella is living under the constant fear of drug-resistant infections. Ella is now a patient advocate, writer, and speaker. She uses her background in biology to advocate for patient-centric solutions.