Community annoucements, notices, happenings, events and news releases from various individuals, organizations, groups and media outlets. Many Canadians do not know what cystic fibrosis is; and if they do, they might not know how devastating the disease can be. The ad campaign, Drowning on the Inside, explains that it is what happens on the inside that makes CF so serious.
Cystic fibrosis is multi-organ disease which affects primarily the lungs and the digestive system. In the digestive tract, CF blocks the absorption of adequate nutrients from food. In the lungs, the effects of the disease are most devastating; and with time, respiratory problems become increasingly severe. Ultimately, most CF deaths are due to lung disease.
When the CCFF was created in 1960, most children with cystic fibrosis did not live long enough to go to kindergarten. Today, thanks to research and care programs funded by the Foundation, more than half of all Canadians with cystic fibrosis are 18 years of age or older.
"We are so very delighted with the progress in CF research and care, but we are still losing too many young lives," said Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "We are urging Canadians to support the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help find a cure or an effective control for CF, and to beat this fatal disease – once and for all."
To raise these vital funds for research and care, the CCFF is holding two Canada-wide fundraisers this May:
National Kin-CCFF Day: Saturday, May 3
On Saturday, May 3, members of Kin Canada clubs across the country will host community-based fundraising events for National Kin-CCFF Day. Proceeds will support the work of the CCFF. Kin Canada is the Foundation's longest-standing partner and has raised more than $35 million in support of the Foundation since 1964. For more information, please visit http://www.kincanada.ca/.
Great Strides™ walk: Sunday, May 25
Take steps to cure cystic fibrosis! Join the CCFF for the fourth-annual Great Strides™ walk on Sunday, May 25, and help bring the Foundation one step closer to reaching the ultimate goal of finding a cure or an effective control for CF. The Great Strides™ walk will take place in more than 40 communities Canada-wide. Money raised through donations funds CF research and care. For more information, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides.
About the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a Canada-wide health charity, with 50 volunteer chapters, that funds CF research and care. In 2008, the Foundation is supporting more than 50 research projects, which are exploring all aspects of the CF puzzle; from investigating new methods of fighting infection and inflammation in the lungs, to finding new therapies that target the basic defect at a cellular level.
The CCFF deeply appreciates the help of countless volunteers, donors and friends who assist the Foundation and its chapters across Canada. The CCFF is honoured to be supported by Celebrity Patron Céline Dion; Honorary Director, Mrs. Mila Mulroney; Kin Canada; Zellers and the Hbc Foundation; thousands of Shinerama students; friends at CARSTAR Collision Repair Centres, and Advocis/Chambre de la sécurité financière; and many generous individual, corporate and foundation donors.