Alyson Tozer is 20 years old and her dream is to be Miss America. She has overcome a life-threatening obstacle and hopes to realise her dream one day.  Alyson was born with a chronic disease called Cystic fibrosis that affects the lungs and the digestive system because of excessive mucus production. But that didn’t deter her from living life to the fullest. She learnt to play the saxophone and played in the school band.  After graduating from High School, she started competing in the Miss America Organization scholarship pageants and went to college where she became a motivational speaker for others with Cystic fibrosis.  She was crowned Miss La Paz County in 2012.

However, in July 2013 her lung function decreased drastically and she was listed for transplant the very next month. Her doctor said that Alyson was desperately ill and needed a timely lung transplant to survive.  A couple of days after she was listed,  she received a life-saving double lung transplant at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Alyson’s mother said that they were humbled and appreciative of the organ donor who had given her daughter life. Alyson said, “I’m grateful beyond words for the second chance I’ve been given  and will celebrate my transplant date each year – my ‘breath day’.”