CF Advocates Make Their Voices Heard in 2010

December 21, 2010

This year, Cystic Fibrosis Advocates inspired new champions in Washington, D.C. and in state capitols across the country to take action on critical CF-related issues.

In 2010, we achieved numerous advances that will help improve and extend the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Working together, we:

• Helped shepherd the “Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act” into law. This legislation enables people with cystic fibrosis and other rare diseases to participate in clinical trials without losing eligibility for public healthcare benefits.
  
  
• Fought for critical provisions in the health care reform debate to help people with CF. While not taking a position on any particular bill, the CF Foundation encouraged officials to include specific reforms that are important for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
  
  
• Helped protect vital programs that provide care for people with CF. CF Advocates helped restore funding for state-level CF care programs in multiple states, which ensure access to needed health benefits and protect the ability of CF patients to receive the therapies they need.
  
  
• Brought NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins to tell the success story of CF drug discovery to the United States Senate. The CF Foundation hosted a briefing in the United States Senate with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Collins highlighted the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s success at bridging the gap between basic scientific discoveries and creating new therapies for patients.
  
  
• Made our voices heard in Congress on behalf of people with CF. CF Advocates sent over 8,000 messages and letters, made many thousands of phone calls, and held over 250 meetings with Members of Congress in Washington, D.C. In adition, CF Advocates held over 50 meetings in their home states with Members of Congress as part of the Foundation’s annual Make Every Breath Count campaign.