3. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus
to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. Its one of the most
common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults.
It is a life-threatening disorder
Photo courtesy of www.cflf.org
5.
When Brian was born in 1976 he wasn’t expected to live beyond the age of
15, if he was lucky.
Thanks to awareness and research, the life expectancy has advanced with
him. Unfortunately, the life expectancy has now only reached 37. Brian is
37.
Even though Brian is up against his life expectancy he is in great shape and
credits a large part of his survival and health to his active lifestyle.
It is this active lifestyle that drove Brian to create the Cystic Fibrosis
Lifestyle Foundation (CFLF)
Photo courtesy of www.cflf.org
7. Research has shown that exercise helps clear the lungs, helping to prevent
infection, and benefits the patient psychologically. These benefits in turn can
have a drastic impact on a patient’s life span.
One board member of CFLF, Barbara Harison, has CF and has been physically
active her entire life, swimming literally 3-5 times per week, every week. She is
now 65 years old!
More than 160 individuals have benefited from our grants since 2007 but with
approximately 30,000 people in the US who have CF there are many more to
help!
8. Unfortunately, the story is not always a positive one. One grant recipient passed
away at the age of 25 only a few months after receiving a grant from CFLF and
before she was able to utilize it to pursue her gym membership.
This is the reality of CF.
The message is that we need to do what we can now, because every day
counts.
With your support we can have a drastic and lasting impact on more people
continuing to live longer with this disease.
9. Please consider making a contribution to support the CFLF in helping
people like Rosie, Mario, Kyle, and Rachel with Living Stronger! and
Living Longer! with CF
If you can’t make a donation now but would like more information, please
sign our mailing list.
WWW.CFLF.ORG
Photos courtesy of www.cflf.org
10. Our mission is simple: Raise money to provide grants to those living with CF that they can
use towards exercised-based recreation.
The feedback that we receive from grant recipients is amazing. Below is an excerpt of a
letter we received from the mother of one of our grant recipients, named Rosie:
“The grant enabled Rosie to attend this awesome summer program and as a result helped
her to take her mind off of all the difficult parts of having CF and instead she felt just like all
of the other kids. She was so happy and carefree, and got tons of exercise at the same
time. Thank you so much for giving us the grant. It was so appreciated and has added so
much happiness to our daughter's life.”
This is not about something monumental or earth shattering, its about helping a little girl
feel good and healthy and more importantly to feel normal, just like all the other kids.
Please visit our website: www.cflf.org
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFLifestyle and https://twitter.com/KennethWiehe
Friend us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CFLifestyle
Letter excerpt courtesy of www.cflf.org
