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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation


Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

-clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and

-obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

What CF treatments or therapies are available?

The best treatments and therapies for cystic fibrosis vary from person to person. CF caregivers at a CF Foundation-accredited care center work closely with CF patients and their families to create individualized treatment plans.

Since cystic fibrosis affects the lungs of most patients, a large part of the treatment routine is to clear mucus from the airways by using different airway clearance techniques. These techniques use vibrations to help loosen the mucus in the lungs so it can be coughed out. For more information, read Airway Clearance Techniques.

There are several medicines that treat lung infections and help people with cystic fibrosis breathe better. They are:

-Mucus-thinners – Medicine that thins mucus, making it easier to cough out.

-Antibiotics – Drugs that can kill or slow the growth of germs called bacteria. One commonly used CF drug is TOBI®, or “Tobramycin for Inhalation.”

-Anti-inflammatories – Drugs, like ibuprofen, help reduce inflammation or swelling of tissues in the body. People with CF have inflammation in their lungs. This is one cause of lung damage.

-Bronchodilators – Medicine that opens the airways for easier breathing.

A Dream for CF

Advances being made in CF research have the potential to make dreams come true for people with CF that were impossible just decades ago. The CF Foundation asked some of the many extraordinary people affected by this disease to share their dreams for the future.






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If you absolutely cannot donate in currency form, please donate some of your time.

Great Strides Are Being Made

Why We Stride

GREAT STRIDES: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest national fundraising event. Tens of thousands of co-workers, friends and family come together each year as one community for one cause…to help find a cure for CF. In 2009, nearly $35 million was raised to support vital CF programs. Learn more.


About GREAT STRIDES
Thank you for your interest in GREAT STRIDES. We’re looking forward to a great event in 2010! Each year, GREAT STRIDES continues to gain momentum, as do our research efforts and progress toward a cure. Learn more.


Thank you.