Our name and logo changed on February 1.
Please note that some materials on the site may not yet reflect this change.
May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Toronto, ON (May 5, 2011) – Each week in Canada two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) and one person dies from the disease. They are drowning on the inside as their lungs fill with fluid which makes them cough uncontrollably with little relief. There is no cure.
Cystic fibrosis cuts young lives short. It is the most common fatal genetic disease that affects Canadian children and young adults. CF is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. Ultimately, most CF-related deaths are due to lung disease.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) invites Canadians to get involved in the fight against this devastating disease.
“What many do not realize is that cystic fibrosis affects all Canadians,” said Maureen Adamson, Chief Executive Officer of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “One child struggling for breath is one too many. Our sights are squarely set on a cure and the help and participation of all Canadians is vital. Together, we can turn the corner on cystic fibrosis.”
During May, Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, Canadians can support the work of Cystic Fibrosis Canada by participating in community and national events, volunteering, or making a donation.
Connect with us on Twitter @CFCanada and Facebook. We also invite you to visit www.drowningontheinside.ca to learn more about CF from people who live with it every day.
Canadians can make a difference by participating in the following national fundraisers:
Great StridesTM walk: Sunday, May 29
Take steps to cure cystic fibrosis! The seventh-annual Great StridesTM walk will take place in more than 50 communities across Canada. Visitwww.cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides to register or to make a donation. Follow us on Twitter @GreatStridesCDN.
National Kin-Cystic Fibrosis Canada Day: Saturday, May 7
Join members of Kin Canada clubs across the country as they host community-based fundraising events. Please contact your local Kin club for details.
Splash for CF: May to September
BioGuard®, a manufacturer of pool and spa care products, will host Splash for CF at more than 100 dealer locations across Canada. BioGuard® dealers will collect donations from their customers in exchange for a complimentary pool water test. They will also display in-store coin boxes and donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of some of their products to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
To find out about local events or to contact a local chapter from across Canada, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
About cystic fibrosis and Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. Thick mucus builds up and blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing enzymes, which help to digest food, from reaching the intestines. As improved therapies have helped to address the malnutrition issues, ultimately most cystic fibrosis-related deaths are due to lung disease.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a national health charity committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, and to helping people and families affected by cystic fibrosis cope with their daily fight. As a global leader in CF research, the organization invests more dollars in life-saving cystic fibrosis research and care than any other non-government agency in Canada. In 2011, Cystic Fibrosis Canada is investing nearly $6.5 million to fund 56 promising research projects, as well as more than 50 fellows and students, and is delivering more than $2 million to fund clinical care programs in Canada.
-30-
If you would like to interview someone affected by cystic fibrosis in your community, please contact:
Diana Ginsberg
Acting Media Relations Officer
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
1-800-378-2233 ext. 290
dginsberg@cysticfibrosis.ca
www.cysticfibrosis.ca
Reviewed/updated: 2011-05-05
