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Toronto, ON – (May 25, 2010) – The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is pleased to announce the election of Debra Berlet of Red Deer, Alberta, to the position of President.
Debra knows first-hand the devastation cystic fibrosis (CF) can cause. She’s the mother of two adults with CF – the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults.
“I feel humbled to have been chosen to represent the wonderful families across Canada who deal with cystic fibrosis every day, and work so hard for a cure or effective control,” said Debra. “I’m excited about the future. We are funding very promising research, and have such wonderful volunteer and staff support.”
In 1986, Debra’s daughter, Megan, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at nine months of age. Just a few months later, Megan’s three-year-old brother, Jordan, was also diagnosed with the disease.
In a quest for information about her children’s disease, Debra contacted the Edmonton and Northern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and soon after became a volunteer.
“No matter how hard you try to ignore it, the fear of losing your child never leaves you – it gives a greater sense of urgency to your fight,” she said. “That’s why my family became involved with the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”
Debra quickly became a champion in the fight against CF, bringing fresh ideas to the Edmonton and Northern Alberta Chapter’s many fundraisers, and dedicating countless hours to raising awareness and vital funds to support cystic fibrosis research and care.
Since she began volunteering in 1986, Debra has held many important volunteer positions within the Foundation, including President of the Edmonton and North Alberta Chapter, and long-time member of the Foundation’s national Board of Directors.
“Debra Berlet has been an outstanding volunteer for more than 25 years, and has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to the CF cause,” said Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “It is wonderful to have such a dedicated leader, and extraordinary mother, as our President.”
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation congratulates Debra on her appointment.
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 2010, 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. For more information, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
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If you would like to interview someone affected by cystic fibrosis in your community, please contact:
Sagal Ali
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
1-800-378-2233 ext. 290
sali@cysticfibrosis.ca
www.cysticfibrosis.ca
Reviewed/updated: 2010-05-31
