Hello! Thanks for visiting my page! My name is Lori and I have a 2 year old son, Rylan, who was born with a genetic disease called CF. Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. An additional ten million more—or about one in every 31 Americans—are carriers of the defective gene, but do not have the disease. CF is most common in Caucasians, but it can affect all races.

Cystic fibrosis causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas. When mucus clogs the lungs, it can make breathing very difficult. The thick mucus also causes bacteria (or germs) to get stuck in the airways, which causes inflammation (or swelling) and infections that lead to lung damage. Mucus also can block the digestive tract and pancreas. The mucus stops digestive enzymes from getting to the intestines. The body needs these enzymes to break down food, which provides important nutrients to help people grow and stay healthy. People with cystic fibrosis often need to replace these enzymes with medicine they take with their meals and snacks, which helps them digest food and get proper nutrition.

What is a typical day for someone with CF? Because the severity of CF differs widely from person to person, and lung infections flare up from time to time, there is no “typical” day. However, each day most people with CF: Take pancreatic enzyme supplement capsules with every meal and most snacks (even babies who are breastfeeding may need to take enzymes). Take multi-vitamins. Do some form of airway clearance at least once and sometimes up to four or more times a day. Take aerosolized medicines—liquid medicines that are made into a mist or aerosol and then inhaled through a nebulizer. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives every day. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org. Please donate any amount possible as nearly 90 cents of every dollar you contribute will be used towards research and to fund the vital programs of the CF Foundation. 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! Please feel free to pass this page along to friends and family who you know might be interested in donating to a great cause!