Celebrated Writer Frank Deford and Renowned Scientist Dr. Francis Collins Help Launch CF Congressional Caucus 

Washington, D.C., September 26 — Sports Illustrated senior writer Frank Deford and scientist Dr. Francis S. Collins, who led the effort to map the human genome, will join members of Congress on Sept. 28, 2006, to launch the Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus and promote awareness of cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases in the United States. Some 30,000 people nationwide struggle with the disease. And, more than 10 million Americans are unknowing, symptom-free carriers of one copy of the CF gene. A few decades ago, most children with CF did not live past ten years of age. Deford’s daughter Alexandra died of CF at age eight in 1980. Today, the predicted median age of survival is nearly 37 years. But much work remains to be done.

WHAT:
         
Launch of the Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus

WHO:

• Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated senior writer and NPR commentator; chairman emeritus, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Dr. Francis S. Collins, director, National Human Genome Research Institute; co-discoverer of the CF gene
• Caucus co-chair, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA)
• Caucus co-chair, U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL)

WHEN:

Thursday, September 28, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: 
        
U.S. House of Representatives, 2322 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., Energy and Commerce Committee Room

About CF and the CF Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization committed to finding therapies and ultimately a cure for CF, and to improving the lives of those with the disease. CF is a life-threatening, genetic disease that can lead to fatal lung infections and digestive problems. The CF Foundation, based in Bethesda, Md., supports fund-raising chapters across the country, as well as cystic fibrosis care centers at major community and teaching hospitals nationwide.