ADDING TOMORROWS EVERY DAY
Adding tomorrows every day expresses the mission—and results—of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s steadfast efforts to extend the length and quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a life-threatening genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. CF substantially impairs respiratory and digestive functions, making the simple acts of eating and breathing a challenge. The average life expectancy of someone with CF is 38.There is no cure. As children suffering from CF grow older, they become more vulnerable to life-threatening lung infections. We receive no federal funding and depend on the generosity of individual donors and corporations to support our lifesaving mission. By supporting “Brew Haw Haw”, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation can ensure children with CF that every available technology is funded and utilized, enabling them to live the long and healthy lives that they deserve.
CF personally affects me because my daughter, Abigail, pictured below, was diagnosed with the disease when she was four weeks old. Because of CF, Abby spent the first month of life in the hospital after having surgery to rid her body of an intestinal obstruction when she was just one day old. While she is now an energetic, sweet three-year-old, Abby’s life is filled with challenges in fighting CF. Like many others with CF, Abby spends upwards of an hour and a half every day receiving breathing treatments and chest physiotherapy in order to maintain her lungs. Despite these efforts, her lungs are already showing signs of damage. Maintaining a healthy weight is also a constant struggle. Even high daily dosages of enzymes, a multivitamin, and antacids do not allow Abby to maintain a healthy size. Also, the fear of what may happen to her as a result of catching the common cold has unfortunately necessitated us to limit Abby’s social interactions with her peers.
While CF presents challenges to Abby on a daily basis, there is no doubt in my mind that she would not be as healthy as she is today if not for the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Because of the work of the Foundation, the median survival age has doubled in the past 25 years. Those who donate to the CF Foundation can be assured that it is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind. In 2009, nearly 90% of every dollar of revenue raised was available for investment in CF research, care and education programs. The National Institutes of Health and numerous prominent publications, including Forbes and USA Today, have heralded the Foundation’s innovative business model, which fuels drug discovery and development programs.
2009 proved to be another remarkable year in our journey to find a cure and control for CF. Our continued progress (such as another increased year in life expectancy) further validates the CF Foundation’s programs and underscores the significance of your contribution. We have established a lofty goal and we need your help to achieve it. Please become a participant or financial supporter of this year’s “Brew Haw Haw.” I speak for the entire committee when I say that we are dedicated to making “Brew Haw Haw” a successful and fun event. But we cannot do it alone. Won’t you please join us in raising our beer glasses, to raise hope for those with CF?
Meghann Barloewen
Event Chair and CF Parent
CF personally affects me because my daughter, Abigail, pictured below, was diagnosed with the disease when she was four weeks old. Because of CF, Abby spent the first month of life in the hospital after having surgery to rid her body of an intestinal obstruction when she was just one day old. While she is now an energetic, sweet three-year-old, Abby’s life is filled with challenges in fighting CF. Like many others with CF, Abby spends upwards of an hour and a half every day receiving breathing treatments and chest physiotherapy in order to maintain her lungs. Despite these efforts, her lungs are already showing signs of damage. Maintaining a healthy weight is also a constant struggle. Even high daily dosages of enzymes, a multivitamin, and antacids do not allow Abby to maintain a healthy size. Also, the fear of what may happen to her as a result of catching the common cold has unfortunately necessitated us to limit Abby’s social interactions with her peers.
While CF presents challenges to Abby on a daily basis, there is no doubt in my mind that she would not be as healthy as she is today if not for the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Because of the work of the Foundation, the median survival age has doubled in the past 25 years. Those who donate to the CF Foundation can be assured that it is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind. In 2009, nearly 90% of every dollar of revenue raised was available for investment in CF research, care and education programs. The National Institutes of Health and numerous prominent publications, including Forbes and USA Today, have heralded the Foundation’s innovative business model, which fuels drug discovery and development programs.
2009 proved to be another remarkable year in our journey to find a cure and control for CF. Our continued progress (such as another increased year in life expectancy) further validates the CF Foundation’s programs and underscores the significance of your contribution. We have established a lofty goal and we need your help to achieve it. Please become a participant or financial supporter of this year’s “Brew Haw Haw.” I speak for the entire committee when I say that we are dedicated to making “Brew Haw Haw” a successful and fun event. But we cannot do it alone. Won’t you please join us in raising our beer glasses, to raise hope for those with CF?
Meghann Barloewen
Event Chair and CF Parent
