Helen Moore

I'd love to show you lots of photos of the talented young woman that I believe my cousin Lucy Saladino would have become.  Unfortunately I can only show you the adorable little kid she was.  Sweet cousin Lucy Saladino lost her battle to breathe when she was just 17. Lucy died from complications of Cystic Fibrosis on February 19, 2009.   

When Lucy was diagnosed with CF at 6 months old the median survival age was 18.  Lucy didn't even hit that age--but today half the CF population is older than 18--with a median survival age of 47.  That is tremendous progress, but it is not a cure.  Yes, there have been miraculous treatments developed to keep CF sufferers healthier longer than ever before. But there is still no cure.  That progress is being made encourages researchers to continue their efforts to defeat this genetic disease.  

Until there is a cure, or even a therapy to turn this disease from a killer to a chronic condition, money is needed to fund research.  New therapies are buying time, and offering hope, for further breakthroughs.  The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is unique among organizations in their active participation in pharmaceutical research, not just patient services.  These efforts do bear fruit, thanks to your amazing generosity.

For many families the lifespan of the person with CF who they love remains much too short.  On Saturday May 13th, once again I'll be in Richmond with family and friends walking to raise money to find that elusive cure. Your support of CFF, which is 100% tax deductible, vastly improves the odds that a cure will be found--maybe even before one more family loses their loved one to CF.

Thank you so much,

Helen