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Spring is often thought of as a season of rebirth and renewal. Each Spring we, as well as you, our family, friends, and neighbors, renew and reaffirm our commitment and dedication to our son, Kevin, in fighting for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis ("CF"). We ask you to again unite with us to cure CF and help give Kevin and all others with CF a long, healthy life. Please consider participating, either as a walker or a sponsor, in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Annual GREAT STRIDES WALK to CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS. This year's Walk will be at Horsehoe Lake in Succasunna, New Jersey on Saturday, May 10, 2008 with registration at 10:00 a.m., Walk at 11:00 a.m.

For those of you unfamiliar with CF, it is a genetic disorder that impairs normal respiratory and digestive functions making the simple acts of breathing and eating a challenge. On average, children with CF lose 2% of their lung capacity each year, have great difficulty gaining weight, and suffer numerous lung infections resulting in lengthy hospitalizations and chronic infections that eventually lead to death. As shown by the increase in median life expectancy during the course of Kevin's life (29 years in 1999 to the current 37 years), tremendous strides have been made treating symptoms and improving the quality of life of those with CF. However, there is still much work to be done as despite these improvements, the daily routine of a person with CF is arduous, and the fact remains, THERE IS NO CURE FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS!!

As for Kevin. he was recently described as showing "intestinal fortitude" - quite a compliment for a 9 year old! However, it gave us pause to think and reflect that Kevin, with his ever-present positive attitude, displays an incredible amount of strength, courage, and perseverance. Thinking about all Kevin endures during the course of a one year period is daunting - over 6,205 enzyme capsules swallowed to help digest food, over 283 hours spent doing approximately 1155 breathing treatments, and over 547 hours spent on chest physio-therapy to dislodge the sticky mucus which seems to love his lungs (and this is during an incredibly healthy year). Yet, despite it all, Kevin simply does what he has to do and moves on to what he deems his "more important" activities - swimming, soccer, and playing with friends.

We remain tremendously thankful for the current state of Kevin's health which we know is due in large part to the medications and therapies developed with funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The goal of the Foundation for 2008 is to invest $100 million in biotechnology firms which have put 30 new promising drugs in the pipeline, any one of which could potentially cure or halt the progression of CF. With your help, we can make that happen. Here is how you can help.

• We would love to have you join TEAM KEVIN walking/riding/cycling/rollerblading around Horseshoe Lake in Succasunna on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the GREAT STRIDES WALK. Ask your friends and family to join you! The more people who join us and fundraise for the cause, the more money for research for a cure for CF. You can register by clicking on "JOIN MY TEAM" at the bottom of this page, or call or e-mail us and we'd be happy to help you with the registration process.

• If you cannot make it to the Walk and wish to help, please consider making a donation. Contributions at any level, from $5 to $500 are greatly appreciated and can be made in one of two ways. A secure online donation may be made by clicking on "CLICK TO DONATE" at the bottom of this page or, you can simply mail your tax-deductible contribution to us (any checks should be made payable to the "Cystic Fibrosis Foundation").

• Conduct your own Online Fundraising Campaign either through our Team Kevin Great Strides Link at www.cff.org./great_strides/Teamkevin or by forwarding this page to others by clicking on "SEND PAGE TO OTHERS" or by creating you own Great Strides web page. Please call us with any questions.

We hope you will support our commitment to ensure that Kevin, and all others who battle against CF every day, will realize their (our) dream of a cure for CF. We thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions or desire additional information please feel free to contact us at teamkevin@optonline.net or contact the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (201) 457-1800.

Joyce, Henry & Kevin Pollison 27 Radcliffe Drive, Succasunna, NJ 07876