Great Strides for CF

Every year gets more challenging to reach and exceed our goal, but we keep reminding ourselves constantly of the fact that CF receives NO FEDERAL FUNDING. Not one single dime. All the money that is raised for research comes from the families who are affected and their wonderful network of friends, extended family, colleagues and community members. It is a very daunting task! But then we take one look at James and remember instantly how necessary and worthwhile our efforts are.

We are asking for your help. By supporting JAMES AND HIS MIGHTY WALKING WARRIORS , you can be part of a lifesaving effort to find a cure for a disease that affects children. An amazing 90 cents out of every dollar goes directly to research, which is why the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation received the coveted 4-star rating (out of 4) for Sound Fiscal Management from Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in the U.S.

If you can help us, not only will you increase your donation, but you will be helping to raise awareness about CF, which will go a long way towards encouraging future support at the Federal level.

Thank You!
Yvonne & James

Please help us reach our goal! Thank you!

You could be a carrier of CF even if no one in your family has CF and even if you already have children without CF. About one of every 30 white people (about 3 in 100 or about 3%) carries the gene. If a relative of yours has CF, or is known to be a carrier of CF, your chance of being a carrier is greater based on your family history than your ethnic background. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-shortening, childhood-onset inherited diseases. In the United States, 1 in 3900 children are born with CF. It is most common among Europeans and Ashkenazi Jews; one in twenty-two people of European descent are carriers of one gene for CF, making it the most common genetic disease in these populations. Ireland has the highest rate of CF carriers in the world (1 in 19).

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.

There is no cure for CF, and most individuals with cystic fibrosis die young: many in their 20s and 30s from lung failure. However, with the continuous introduction of many new treatments, the life expectancy of a person with CF is increasing to ages as high as 40 or 50. Lung transplantation is often necessary as CF worsens.

Well. It's time for a cure! Please help us! The life you save may be a child you love.

James is now 8 years old and in 3rd grade. He is a top student and excels in everything he does. James was Student of the month for his school in December and he was very proud of that honor. His teacher is wonderful and she says James is a joy to have in class and a positive role model for the other children. He is taking guitar lessons and is doing very well! I was shocked to hear him play "Love Me Tender" and a few other recognizable songs! He also rocks out hard on the drums in Rock Band! I love to watch him play! Baseball season is coming up and he is very excited for that especially if Jimmy gets chosen to be a coach! That should be a lot of fun!

As far as his health, James is still doing pretty well. He has been having some acid reflux and his liver is starting to take a toll, so he is on Actigall and Prevacid to help with those things. Now he's up to 15 medications a day and continues to do 1 hour of treatments every morning and evening but he is still a happy, positive, fun loving kid that has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known! He is my HERO!

Please keep James in your thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and for your commitment to our goal - making "CF" stand for "Cure Found" within James' lifetime - truly lifesaving work.

James and His Mighty Walking Warriors