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What is cystic
fibrosis?
Click
here to view Great Strides video of Lauren.
Click
here to help support research to find a cure.
 Cystic
Fibrosis (CF) is the #1 fatal genetic disease in America.
People with CF have a mutated gene which causes their cells
to be unable to properly allow salt to pass in and out. This
causes the naturally occurring mucus that the body produces,
which is usually thin and slippery, to be thick and sticky.
This thick, sticky mucus can clog passageways in the body.
The lungs are usually the most affected organ in the body.
The mucus in the lungs is usually thin and slippery which
allows the cilia to gently sweep it out. In a person with
CF, the mucus is thick and sticky. This clogs the tubes of
the lungs and acts as a breeding ground for infection which
causes lung damage. Most people with CF eventually die of
lung disease. To help keep their lungs clear, people with
Cystic Fibrosis need to do chest therapy at least twice a
day for their entire lives.
This cause is very important to
us because Lauren Black has this disease. She was diagnosed
at birth and has been fighting ever since. Lauren is now
four years old. She started preschool in the fall two days
a week. She is very active. She loves to be
outside riding her bike, playing on her swing set, and
running around with her sister, Katherine. She is very
excited to start playing soccer later this spring. The only
thing that slows Lauren down is her battle with Cystic
Fibrosis, the #1 fatal genetic disease in this country.
According to the CF
Foundation’s National registry, only one half of all
individuals with CF will live to the age of 37. Lauren
fights everyday to stay healthy. She has spent over 1500
hours (63+ days) doing chest therapy. Since May 31st, 2006
she’s spent over 2,760 hours (115+ days) hooked up to a
feeding pump. She never gets a break from this disease. We
don’t know what the future holds for Lauren because this
disease progresses differently in everybody. We are
supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation so that one day,
hopefully soon, CF will no longer stand for Cystic
Fibrosis. It will stand for Cure Found and Lauren, and
thousands like her, will get a break.
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