Once again, we're looking to raise more funds for Cystic Fibrosis through the GREAT STRIDES walk. GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. For the eighth year, my family and I, along with our team, Andrew's Angels, are walking in the GREAT STRIDES walk at the Dana Point - Doheny State Beach walk on May 2, 2009. My son, Andrew, and all persons afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis would greatly appreciate your support. Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively, as more than $.90 out of every dollar you contribute will be used to fund the vital programs of the CF Foundation. Research funded by the CF Foundation is making "great strides" towards finding a way to treat the underlying cause of the disease instead of just the symptoms.

This year, there is great hope for a new drug that is currently in Phase 2 testing that targets the basic defect that causes CF. Early results are very promising. This drug was developed in partnership with a pharma company using funds raised during the Great Strides walks and other fund-raising events.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. Due to CF's relatively small patient load, the CF Foundation has taken the lead in finding and funding research into new therapies, and hopefully, a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. In the past four years, the average lifespan of a CF patient has increased over 5 years, to just over 36 years old, in large part from the therapies and research that have come from CF Foundation sponsorship. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated! 100% of your donation is tax deductible.

Andrew is 14 years old now and is considered by his doctors a very healthy CF patient. He continues to take daily drug and physical therapies to help keep his airways clear, as well as taking enzymes at every meal to help him digest his food. All together, daily he takes at least 5 different medications, totaling over 20 pills a day, and spends anywhere from 30-60 minutes a day doing his therapy. Because of these drugs and therapies, Andrew is leading the life of a normal, active 14-year-old: playing on two baseball teams, school sports, and playing in the neighborhood with his friends. He sees the doctors at the CHOC CF Clinic once a quarter to make sure he's healthy and free of infections. In the last 18 months, he has been hospitalized twice to have operations to remove mucus blockage caused by his CF, as well as sinus polyps.

For more information on Andrew, check out our website at http://andrewsangels.net.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and GREAT STRIDES!