Our Mission
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 Cystic Fibrosis care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.
What you need to know about Cystic Fibrosis
- There is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
- People with Cystic Fibrosis have two copies of a defective gene that causes a tweak in the sodium transfer at a cellular level. This can result in thick mucus in the lungs and pancreas. This mucus leads to an inability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients as well as serious lung infections. A high fat diet, supplemental digestive enzymes and vitamins can aid the digestive issues. Chest percussion, nebulizing treatments can prevent thick, sticky mucus in the lungs.
- In 1955 people born with Cystic Fibrosis were not expected to live to even attend elementary school. Today, the predicted median age of survival for someone with the disease is 37 years.