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optimisticDear Friends,
I am asking for your support as I participate again in GREAT STRIDES, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's annual, nationwide walk event that raises money to help support vital Cystic Fibrosis (CF) research and care programs. This year's walk will be held on May 16th at Santana Row in San Jose. Your donation will be well spent as more than 90 cents of every dollar raised by the CF Foundation is used to support its critical programs.
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic Fibrosis is a fatal genetic disease that affects over 30,000 Americans. This disease is marked by chronic lung infections, clogged airways, and digestive and reproductive problems. One out of every 31 Americans is a symptomless carrier of the defective CF gene. When the CF Foundation was founded in 1955, children with CF were not expected to see their first day of elementary school. Many people with the disease can now expect to live in to their 30s, 40s, and beyond. This progress is amazing - but not good enough - as we continue to lose at least one precious life to CF every day.
Team Claire: My niece Claire was diagnosed with CF when she was 15 months old. She is now almost 6 years old and works hard everyday to maintain good health. Her treatments include 1-2 hours per day of medications, lung therapy, digestive enzymes, and vitamins.Over this last year, she has had a few lung infections, but overall has stayed healthy thanks to the treatments that are available. She is now in kindergarten and in her free time loves to swim, play soccer, and go to ballet class. She is full of life and energy, and is a light in our lives. Fortunately, medications that could potentially cure Claire's type of CF are currently in clinical trials and so far look very promising. Events like GREAT STRIDES raise money that is needed in the battle against CF and help us get closer to a cure. |
Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated. You can donate by writing a check payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or donate online at www.cff.org/great_strides/BensonFlores. Together, we can help make "CF" stand for "Cure Found"!
Sincerely,
Benson Flores