A Super Bowl to remember for East Bridgewater woman with cystic fibrosis

Staff Reporter

Wicked Local

Lauren Bombardier, 25, of East Bridgewater, is shown last year with her first box of Orkambi, a new drug approved to treat cystic fibrosis. Bombardier was one of 10 recipients to receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

EAST BRIDGEWATER – While the Patriots weren’t playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday, one East Bridgewater woman scored big during the game when it was announced that she had won a $10,000 scholarship.

During halftime, former NFL quarterback and current commentator Boomer Esiason announced over the radio broadcast that Lauren Bombardier, 25, was one of 10 recipients to receive a $10,000 Sack for CF scholarship from the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

“I’m very excited,” said Bombardier. “While I was watching the Super Bowl, a lot of people called and texted me and said ‘I just heard your name on the radio, what was that.’ ”

Bombardier is one of about 30,000 people in the united States who has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a disease caused by a defective gene, which makes the body produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. The mucus also obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

Among those who also suffer from cystic fibrosis is Gunnar Esiason, Boomer’s son who inspired him to start the foundation after he was diagnosed with the disease at age 2. In addition to funding research for a cure, the foundation also awards scholarships to students battling the disease.

A Class of 2013 graduate from Stonehill College, Bombardier had not intended to pursue a master’s degree due to her diagnosis. The average life expectancy for a person living with cystic fibrosis is the mid-30s.

However, a breakthrough happened for Bombardier in July when a new drug - Orkambi - was approved for use by those suffering from the disease.

The drug – which she credits with helping her manage her cystic fibrosis – helped Bombardier to decide to earn a master's degree in management at Lasell College.

She added that the scholarship from the Boomer Esiason Foundation will now help her reach that goal even faster.

“I was supposed to graduate in 2018, and now I can graduate next year,” Bombardier said.