Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Charlotte Chapter

Description

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective cystic fibrosis gene. The disease occurs in one of every 3,900 live births and about 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year.

When the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation began, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Today, thanks to the efforts of scientists, caregivers and the development of new treatments supported by the Foundation, the median age of survival for a person with CF is nearly 37 years. A remarkable improvement--although it is not good enough as we continue to lose at least one precious life to cystic fibrosis every day.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient voluntary health organizations of its kind and has been recognized by such publications as Forbes, SmartMoney and USA Today for its innovative approach to curing a disease. In 2005, almost 90 cents of every dollar raised was available for investment in vital cystic fibrosis program services.

Never before in the history of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has the feeling of optimism for defeating this disease been so great. Progress has been made because the Foundation has seized every opportunity to support the best minds in science and to recruit the finest team of caregivers to the CF cause.

When you support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, you are investing in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Working together, we can give children and adults with CF the quality of life and the future that they deserve.