Every spring, the cystic fibrosis community comes together for National Volunteer Week. We are so grateful for our incredible volunteers and their dedication to the CF community.
During National Volunteer Week, April 21 – 27, we recognize and thank our incredible volunteers for their dedication and commitment to the CF community. From advocating, researching, connecting, fundraising, and lending a helping hand — every contribution makes a difference. A volunteer is anyone who gives back to the CF community. From those living with CF and their family and friends, to clinicians and researchers, to corporate champions — all your contributions make a difference, and we are grateful.
Read Volunteer Stories
Our volunteers share their experiences on the CF Community Blog:
- Realizing the Impact of My Volunteering
- Creating Change for BIPOC People With CF
- How I Found Meaning and Purpose in a Late CF Diagnosis
- 4 Simple Steps to Begin Volunteering
- How Going on Disability Led Me to Join the CF Community
- A Chance Meeting Led to My Involvement in the CF Community
Volunteer Spotlight
While we all volunteer in different ways, we are joined by one mission. Here are just a few of the outstanding volunteers who are working to make CF stand for cure found.
Northern Ohio Chapter
Brett and Beth Baskin have led the committee for the Bruce Baskin Golf Classic — a memorial event — for more than 20 years combined. Brett Baskin serves as Vice President on the Northern Ohio Chapter board, and the Baskin family has raised more than $3 million dollars for the Foundation.
Greater Illinois Chapter
Andrew is a Tomorrow's Leader and the student body president at a local high school. He has organized and facilitated the highest dollar fundraising event for this chapter for two consecutive years. Andrew has also volunteered his time to support his local CF community. In his efforts, he has increased awareness of CF and is a strong advocate of the Foundation's mission.
Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter
What has Kathy not been involved in? Last summer, she became the co-chair of her chapter’s newly launched Grampions program. Kathy is also on the gala committee, helps at CF Foundation Cares events and CF education days, and works the mission tables at Great Strides. We are so thankful for Kathy!
Indiana Chapter
Gretchen is one of the co-chairs for our Grampions program in Indiana, and she is hugely involved in our Great Strides program as a fundraiser, walker, and day-of volunteer. Gretchen is always one of the first people to respond to a call for volunteers. She is the definition of someone who leads by example, and we are so lucky to have her!
Utah and Idaho Chapter
Rick and Alta Davis are the backbone of everything the chapter does. Rick is the chapter board president, the Grampions chair, and a member of the National Grampions Committee. From the day their grandson Elliot was diagnosed, they have been all in. No matter the event, you can find Alta and Rick's support both as sponsors and behind-the-scenes labor.
Greater Illinois Chapter
There aren't enough characters to highlight all Kent and Kathy do for our chapter. They are Greater Illinois Grampion Committee co-chairs, National Grampion Committee members, chairs of the 2024 VLC, hosts of "Groovin with the Grampions" at multiple 2023 Great Strides walks, and so much more. To put it simply, they are absolutely amazing.
Southern California Los Angeles Chapter
Brandon Gonsalves volunteers in honor of his wife with CF. He is a member of the Santa Clarita Great Strides Committee. He started his walk team in 2013 and has raised over $20k since. He has also been instrumental in coordinating sponsored lunches for the walk each year.
Nevada Chapter
Elizabeth is a new CF mom who is helping us bridge the gap and diversify our chapter by sharing her story and heritage. She has now been to two VLCs and MOHs!
Oregon & SW Washington Chapter
Sean serves as a member of our local Advisory Board. Over the years, he has hosted a cultivation event at their home, started a golf tournament with his company, and founded "The FORCE" to bring their connections together to fundraise for a cure. Since then, “The FORCE" is responsible for raising over $500,000.
Maryland Chapter
Brendan and Paula are our exceptional Tomorrow’s Leaders chairs, Great Strides team leaders, photographers for events, Annual Fund participants and solicitors, and Passion for Food and Wine Auction Committee members. We are so grateful for them!
South Carolina Chapter
Taylor holds a large passion fundraiser at Halloween called CF Bites, which raised over $80,000 in 2023! She volunteers at other chapter events, her daughter Aubin is an Area Ambassador, Taylor is becoming a Congressional Captain, and she recently became a chapter board member.
Kentucky/West Virginia Chapter
For 34 years, Jamie has served her chapter. She sits on the events committee and chapter board, currently as chair of both. Jamie has recruited at least half a dozen board members and at least that many gala committee members throughout her tenure. Through Jamie’s selfless service, the Foundation’s mission has touched the heart of hundreds, perhaps thousands of people.
Central Texas Chapter
Lou Marchetti is the founder and event chair for Key to the Cure, in honor of his sister Margaret who is living with CF. This fundraiser has raised over $4 million for the CF Foundation and the 12th annual event will take place this November!
Texas Gulf Coast Chapter
Mike, who has no direct connection to CF, has been actively involved in the chapter for 25 years. He has been on the board for 20 years and served two terms as chairman of the board. He co-chairs Great Strides, serves on the National Milestones III Advisory Committee, and is chair of the chapter’s Individual Giving campaign. He and his family are in it until it’s done!
Arkansas/West Tennessee Chapter
Just a few months after her son ArRee was diagnosed with CF in 2021, Shana and her team jumped in and hosted their first annual Show N' Shine car, truck, and bike show. This event has become a staple in their local community! Team ArRee Strong has also hosted golf scrambles, sold T-shirts, held live/silent auctions, and gone above and beyond to raise both funds and awareness for CF.
Northern California Chapter
Sue and Dominic Passanisi have been recognized as our Volunteers of the Year for 2023. As Grampions, they volunteered at Great Strides walks throughout Northern California — truly going above and beyond with their time, talent, and treasure. They are CF grandparents who are committed to advocating not only for their grandchild but for all those living with CF.
Southeast Floria Chapter – Fort Lauderdale Chapter
Mari and her family started volunteering when her son, Danny, was diagnosed with CF at age 2. When Danny passed away just shy of his 19th birthday, they doubled down their efforts. They continue to be the chapter’s top Great Strides fundraising team. She recently joined the chapter board and the National Volunteer Leadership Council, and she agreed to become a Congressional Captain.
Western Pennsylvania Chapter
Mike is an exceptional volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive impact. He recently joined a team for Cycle for Life, cycling an impressive 40 miles in support of the cause. And for the past four years, Mike has served as the head coach for Run to Cure CF, providing unwavering support to our runners.
Arkansas/West Tennessee Chapter
Jennifer is a beloved volunteer who pours her heart into everything she does for the CF Foundation. Her and her family have been involved in Great Strides since 2014, chairing the Little Rock walk with her husband in 2019 and 2020. She continues to serve on the Great Strides Committee, is the leader for her team (Go F.A.R. for CF), and sits on our Little Rock board.
Alabama Chapter
Jamie is the leader of Driving Miss Desi — our top fundraising team for Huntsville Great Strides — in honor of her daughter who has CF. Jamie is an incredible Great Strides volunteer, from sending letters to securing state sponsorships. She is a chapter board member, volunteer engagement chair, national volunteer leadership council member, and so much more.
Connecticut Chapter
Dr. Joe Rosano has become a dedicated volunteer for his chapter. In addition to his work as a pharmacist at the Yale Care Centers, Joe is a fierce advocate for the CF Community, using his voice in-person and on social media. He attends numerous events throughout the year and does whatever he can to support the chapter.
Northern New England Chapter
Patricia (Patty) has been a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser for 40 years. She's done everything from Great Strides committees to fundraising and volunteering at every chapter event. She is always there. Even after her beautiful daughter Alyssa passed away in 2006, she never wavered. She is an outstanding, dedicated member of our community.
Central New York Chapter
Jenn has been involved with the Foundation for more than 20 years and has been chair of the Oswego Great Strides for 7 years. Most recently, she became the chapter’s board chair and helped spearhead several cultivation events which resulted in a new board member, new hike participant (who was our top fundraiser!), and new Finest honoree.
Heart of America Chapter
Anna is mom to Johnny, an 11-month-old with CF. She is a new team leader for the Kansas City Great Strides Walk, and Anna and her team (Jammin for Johnny) have already raised $23,802!
Central Ohio Chapter
As an adult with CF, David offers to attend every event, but when he cannot, he will show up when the event ends to help tear down no matter the time. Recently, David has helped both the Cincinnati and Columbus offices move, building every piece of furniture. As a board member, he has taken on the Leaders and Legends liaison for Cincinnati and Dayton and has planned an event in October 2024 for lapsed families to reunite.