But the self-described geek, whose Midvale sister has CF, knew he could create a fundraising Web site and send e-mails to his friends asking for money. So the site at www.firstgiving.com/65roses was born.
McNeill met his goal of collecting $5,000 and the money was given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Utah/Idaho chapter in November. Last month, the chapter honored his efforts with a "Love to Breathe" award, which is named for his sister, Somer Love.
"I did it for my sister," the 29-year-old McNeill said. "I figured this is one way for me to do something for cystic fibrosis. . . . Hopefully one day we can find a cure."
CF is an inherited disease in which the body produces thick mucus that clogs the lungs, causing life-threatening infections, and prevents the body from breaking down and absorbing food, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Web site. There is no cure. The median age of survival in 2006 was 37.
Love was diagnosed when she was 11 months old after her parents noticed her skin tasted salty, a CF symptom.
Now 28, Love spends more than an hour each day managing her disease. She can spend weeks at a time in the hospital receiving high-dose antibiotics when her lungs become severely infected.
She serves on the committee for the Taste of Salt Lake event, which raises money for a cure. The ninth annual event brought 600 supporters to the Salt Palace in November to sample food from some of the area's finest eateries and raise a record $110,000 toward finding a cure.
The first "Love to Breathe" awards were given to former football stars Chad Lewis and Mike Norseth and Kirk Umphrey, president of Lube Management Corp., for outstanding fundraising efforts.
Love also is a motivational speaker and is featured in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's 2008 calendar.
She says she adopted her parents' philosophy on fighting the disease. Her mother, Donnie McNeill, helped revitalize the local CF chapter and continues to raise money. So does her father, Larry McNeill.
"I don't think I could do the things I do without my family," Love said. "They definitely make a huge difference, being there when I'm in the hospital. [They] keep my hopes high and dreams big."
Shane McNeill said he wants to raise $10,000 this year - a redesign of his Web site is under way and will soon be found at www.lovetobreathe.com. And Love expects a cure in her lifetime. "We're making strides every day," she said.
The CF foundation is the primary sponsor of research for a cure. Its Web site says nearly 90 cents for every donated dollar goes to research, care and education.
hmay@sltrib.com
