London woman to chair national cystic fibrosis advocacy group

Toronto, ON (November 19, 2010) – The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carole Varin as Chair of the Foundation’s Adult Cystic Fibrosis Committee (ACFC).

The ACFC is composed of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) from across Canada. Over the next two years, the Committee will advise the Foundation on matters affecting Canadians with cystic fibrosis, and will undertake initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of Canadians with CF.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure.

People with cystic fibrosis face a number of challenges, including the high cost of CF medications, differences in provincial drug coverage and access to life-sustaining medications.

“I look forward to working with the Committee to advocate for better drug coverage and social supports for persons with cystic fibrosis, and to raise public awareness of the issues facing individuals with CF,” said Carole.

Carole and the Committee also plan to develop resources on career and family planning.

The growing population of adults with cystic fibrosis is evidence of the significant progress made in cystic fibrosis research and care. When the Foundation was established in 1960, most children with cystic fibrosis did not live long enough to attend kindergarten; today, half of all Canadians with CF are expected to live into their 40s, and even beyond.

“It is a tremendously encouraging sign that Canadians with cystic fibrosis are living longer, healthier lives,” said Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the CCFF. “The Foundation is committed to working with, and advocating on behalf of, Canadians with CF, as we seek potential solutions to the challenges they face.”

Carole has been an active volunteer with the Foundation for more than 15 years. She has held several positions on the London Chapter of the Foundation, and organized and participated in many fundraisers.

“I truly believe that hope makes people live,” said Carole. “I try to inject a little hope wherever it’s needed.”

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. 2010 marks the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary. To continue a track record of excellence, 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 the cellular level.

Beginning February 1, 2011, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be known as Cystic Fibrosis Canada. For more information, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.

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For more information, or to speak with Carole Varin, 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: 2010-11-19