On June 25, more than 130 advocates from across the country, including more than two dozen living with cystic fibrosis, met with members of Congress and their staff during the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual Teen Advocacy Day, urging them to support increased funding to the National Institutes of Health and protect funding for the vital research driving breakthroughs toward a cure for CF. 

The event, now in its 18th year, brings together teens, young adults, and families in the CF community to speak up for policies that impact their loved ones living with cystic fibrosis. 

“The remarkable progress we’ve seen in cystic fibrosis is driven by sustained investment in science, including a robust commitment to fund NIH and fund essential research,” said Mary Dwight, senior vice president and chief policy and advocacy officer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We’re grateful a new generation of advocates is stepping forward to protect that innovation and continued progress in CF research. Today’s advocates’ voices are critical to ensuring we continue moving closer to a cure for every person with CF.” 

Alongside advocates on Capitol Hill, more than 1,300 community members from all 50 states participated in the Foundation’s Online Day of Action. Together, they sent more than 6,400 messages to lawmakers, amplifying the community’s collective voice and reinforcing the urgent need to sustain research funding. 

Previous Teen Advocacy Day advocates Michael Woody, a young adult living with CF, and Bailee Goldman and Gracie Salema, siblings of people with CF, served as Teen Advocacy Day interns. During their tenure, the group lent their expertise to help craft the event’s program and connect with virtual and in-person attendees.   

Interested in joining the effort to maintain critical CF research? Sign up for the Foundation’s advocacy alerts to stay informed and take action.