LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER - CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION

Dawn Hovey and Rachel League from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) spoke to our group last week.  Dawn was new to the CFF so she arranged for her deputy, Rachel League to speak.  Rachel  described how a combination of genes can lead to a lack of the protein in the body which maintains the mucus in the body in a fluid state so that it does not block the function of several organs in the body, including the lungs.

 

For several years now, infants are tested to determine if they are candidates for Cystic Fibrosis  to allow early treatment.

 

There are 30,000 cases in the US and 375 in Nebraska/Iowa.  There are 1000 new cases each year in the US.  Fifty per cent of the cases depend on medicade

 

There are medications available to reduce the symptoms of the disease but unfortunately, there is no known cure.  Treatment of the many symptoms of the disease are complicated often require a multiple disciplinary team of physicians and medical staff.

 

Naturally, the function of the CF Foundation is to collect funds to facilitate research and treatment so if you are inclined to do so, they would welcome your generosity.