Let’s face it — cystic fibrosis is not a sexy, Top Ten disease. You don’t see Hollywood stars holding massive telethons about it. And to be honest, most folks have heard of the disease but really don’t know exactly what it is.
For instance, did you know it’s an inherited chronic disease affecting both the lungs and the digestive system? Not only does it result in a “thick, sticky mucus” clogging up the lungs resulting in life-threatening lung infections, it also raises havoc with the pancreas, stopping the natural enzymes from breaking down and absorbing food.
Enough of the scientific stuff, let’s talk numbers and facts. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:
- In the U.S., 30,000 children and adults suffer from the inherited chronic disease.
- An additional ten million more—or about one in every 31 Americans—are carriers of the defective CF gene, but do not have the disease.
- CF is most common in Caucasians, but it can affect all races.
- Currently, there is no cure for cystic fibrosis. However, specialized medical care, aggressive drug treatments and therapies, along with proper CF nutrition, can lengthen and improve the quality of life for those with CF.
The good news is that advances have shown very positive results. Why, back “in the 1950’s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school.” Today, “many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30’s, 40’s and beyond.”
Oh, but surely we can do better than that!
Amy Simmons and Annette Simmons
Yes, indeed. And the Breath of Life Dinner is one way to do it. On Thursday, January 24, Gina Betts is chairing a dinner at the Ritz-Carlton with “all proceeds benefit(ing) the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its mission to cure and control cystic fibrosis.”
In addition to raising the much-needed funds, the dinner provides the occasion to
- honor the heroes within the community “who are working to provide a hopeful future for those with cystic fibrosis.”
- recognize “the many individuals and their families that struggle daily with this progressively degenerative disease.”
One of those “heroes” is Amy Simmons, who has made a “significant difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis and who had inspired others to do so as well.”
Does Amy have cystic fibrosis? No, but perhaps that’s why she’s such a star. Amy has been involved for quite a while simply to help others who are victimized by this dreadful disease.
For more information about the dinner, contact call Jennifer Farnsworth at 214.871.2222 or email her at jfarnsworth@cff.org. Tickets start at $250 per person.
Photo provided by Breath of Life Dinner