Claire’s Story
APRIL 10, 1997
CLAIRE IS BORN
Claire Wineland was born and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis “CF.” At that time, the life expectancy for a child born with CF was approximately 10 years old.
Birth to Age 13
Claire’s Childhood
Claire was a force to be reckoned with, despite her CF diagnosis. She was a playful, compassionate, and energetic child.
APRIL 11, 2010
CLAIRE IS PUT IN A COMA
A day after her 13th birthday, Claire undergoes a routine surgery to repair severe gastric reflux called Nissen fundoplication. Claire’s body begins to deteriorate, her oxygen saturation falls rapidly. She develops septicemia causing full lung failure. Placed in a medically induced coma and on an oscillator, she has a 1% chance of survival and remains in the coma for 16 days.
APRIL 27, 2010
CLAIRE ENVISIONS CLAIRE’S PLACE FOUNDATION
Claire remains in the hospital for 3 months and slowly regains her strength following this medical crisis. She is touched by the outpouring of love she and her family receive from friends, family, community, and an online group that grew to over 9,000 members who send her positive messages, form prayer groups, and offer support. This revelation inspires her to start a foundation that would provide support for other families with children with cystic fibrosis.
MAY 1, 2011
CLAIRE’S PLACE FOUNDATION IS FOUNDED
With the help of The Pretenders Dance Studio, we came up with an original dance and began spreading the word on how to get involved. In Santa Monica, CA, over 300 people showed up inspired to support Claire’s new foundation and to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis. The Flash Mob for CF raised over $24,000 and Claire’s Place Foundation officially opened its doors.
OCT 13, 2011
CLAIRE’S FIRST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT 14
Claire begins a thriving public speaking career when she is invited to do her very first TEDx talk in La Jolla, CA.
JUNE 25, 2014
CLAIRE’S PLACE IS NAMED “SMALL NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR” BY LA BUSINESS JOURNAL
The first of many awards for Claire personally and professionally, Claire worked tirelessly to spread awareness about cystic fibrosis and uplift the chronic disease community. Her work inspires people across the country and earns many achievement awards.
AUGUST 2015
CLAIRE IS HONORED AS A “TEEN CHOICE AWARDS PRO SOCIAL HONOREE 2015”
FOX network honored 8 teens from across the country who are out to make positive change in the world and our Founder, Claire Wineland was one of them!
MARCH 2016
CLAIRE IS NAMED ONE OF SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE’S “17 POWER TEENS”
The article featuring 17 Teens out to change the world was included in the March 2016 edition of Seventeen Magazine. Claire Wineland “The Lifesaver” created Claire’s Place Foundation, a nonprofit that provides grants for families while a loved one is in the hospital due to cystic fibrosis.
AUGUST 2016
CLAIRE WAS FEATURED ON THE CW NETWORK SERIES “MY LAST DAYS”
Claire’s story received national attention in the CW Network Series “My Last Days.”
NOVEMBER 2016
CLAIRE SPEAKS AT ZAPPOS ALL HANDS MEETING IN LAS VEGAS, NV
Claire Wineland shares her story about living a proud life beyond disability for the employees of Zappos.com.
2016
PARTNERED WITH ZAPPOS FOR GOOD TO CREATE CLAIRE’S PLACE PLAYROOMS
Planned and guided by Claire, the overall design of each playroom is carefully crafted to meet the unique needs of children who spend extended periods of time in the hospital.
JULY 25, 2017
CLAIRE STARTS A YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Claire starts a YouTube channel where she shares hundreds of videos about her personal experience living with a chronic illness.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
THRIVE: MAKE MONEY MATTER RAISES $178,402.00 FOR CLAIRE’S PLACE
“I was invited to speak at Thrive 2017, which was such an honor. I had no idea the event would change my life,” said Claire’s Place Founder Claire Wineland. “After my talk, Thrive Co-Founders Cole and Sanja Hatter surprised me with a personal donation to support my foundation. They then called upon the audience to open their wallets. In just minutes we raised more money than we have ever raised for Claire’s Place!”
2017
CLAIRE INSPIRES “FIVE FEET APART”
While working on My Last Days, Claire inspired director Justin Baldoni to write the first major motion picture featuring individuals with cystic fibrosis “Five Feet Apart”. Claire consulted on the script, sat in on table readings, and coached the star Haley Lu Richardson on what it’s like to live with this disease.
June 2018
CLAIRE GETS LISTED FOR A DOUBLE LUNG TRANSPLANT
While waiting Claire creates a video asking for support from her community. It goes viral and exceeds her wildest dreams culminating with an outpouring of personal financial support. Shortly thereafter, on August 26, 2018, Claire gets “the call” telling her to head immediately to the hospital in San Diego to undergo her transplant surgery.
September 2, 2018
CLAIRE PASSES AWAY
Following her double lung transplant, Claire suffers complications and passes away surrounded by the love of her family. Claire is honored by people and publications around the world for her work for the CF and chronic illness communities, and for her inspirational life-affirming messages to everyone. “Live a life you are proud of.”
September 3, 2018 - Beyond
CLAIRE’S LEGACY LIVES ON AT CLAIRE’S PLACE
Inspired to live proudly, Claire’s friends and fans make a loving difference by supporting the CF community and upholding her legacy through Claire’s Place Foundation.