Cystic Fibrosis - Great Strides fundraiser
On May 21st, I'll be walking in the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides fundraiser in Santa Monica. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes thick secretions in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. The most important effects are that it interferes with breathing, causes lung infections that damange the lungs, and greatly reduces your ability to digest food.
Over the past 50 years, research has brought about various therapies to alleviate these symptoms, improving the life expectancy of the average person with CF from about 2 years in 1950, to nearly 37 years today.
Since CF is not very widespread, this research is mainly supported by donations from the families and friends of those affected. The Great Strides walk is the main fundraiser of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the leading foundation which supports CF research.
I am walking for my friend Julie. She's 25, a graduate student at UCLA, and a wonderful person. She has always shown amazing tenacity, going to great lengths to make sure she does her 2 hours of daily treatments. This keeps her as healthy as possible, so she can live an otherwise normal life.
Anyways, I am saying all this because I hope you'll make a donation. Donations help the Cystic Fibrosis foundation a) research new medications and therapies, b) provide vital medications to low-income families affected by CF, c) coordinate between hundreds of care centers accross the nation, and d) advocate government assistance to CF research and public health assistance.
Because of the dedicated community, the volume of research that has been done, and the mechanism of the disease, I believe that in the coming years, more progress will be made towards improving the lives of those affected by CF than any other genetic disease.
Every little bit helps!
Thank you!
More Information: