Watching 9-year-old Finley Dunn race across Robeson County park equipment, you’d have no idea he’s already conquered more obstacles than most adults. 

Dunn was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was an infant. 

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Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease with no cure that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs airways and traps bacteria. The condition can cause chronic infections, inflammation and respiratory failure. 

“For the whole first year of his life, he was in the intensive care unit," his mother, Cassandra Duncan said.

Dunn is now turning his diagnosis into a mission. 

The adventurer is a quarterfinalist to be named the 2025 Jr. Ranger Champion in a national competition benefitting the National Wildlife Federation. 

“I want to help endangered species," Dunn said. "I like polar bears, and I love white huskies.”

The winner of the competition will appear in a "Ranger Rick" magazine and take home $20,000. Dunn says he wants to use the money to help his family buy a house, and donate to wildlife research.

He is competing against nearly 1,500 kids across the country. You can vote for Finley and support his journey here.

Duncan told WRAL News her son’s diagnosis came as a surprise. 

“They actually thought something was wrong with his heart by ultrasound measurements,” shr recalled. “When he was born, he went straight to the cardiac intensive care unit.”

Duncan said after he wasn’t latching and feeding well, his medical team noticed his stomach was full of air. Dunn underwent surgery after his small intestines swelled. 

“It was scary, and it wasn’t something we had expected,” Duncan said. 

Now, Dunn takes daily medication and receives routine care at the UNC Health Multidisciplinary Pediatric CF Clinic. 

The clinic is located on the ground floor of UNC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill. The care team provides evaluations, services, and family education. Dunn meets with a variety of specialists including, dieticians, nurses, pediatric pulmonologists, and more.

“I have to take medicine for my food to digest better,” Dunn explained of his treatment plan. 

In 2022, Dunn was also diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, aplastic anemia. A bone marrow transplant from his older sister through UNC Children’s Hospital was successful, helping Dunn continue to beat the odds.

Duncan and her son began making videos under Dunn’s Facebook page, ‘Find Out for Finley.’ What began as an effort to find Dunn a bone marrow match has now turned into an effort to educate others about cystic fibrosis and to share his love for wild animals. 

Duncan thanked the community for their support as her son hopes to move on to the next round. Voting for the quarter finals runs until May 21. 

Semifinals voting will be open from May 22-28, with Finals May 29-June 4. 

Votes reset after each round. The winner will be announced on or around June 19.