Cori's Sunshine Superheroes

For Corinne

Welcome (back) to Cori's Sunshine Superheroes! This is our 9th year participating in the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk and we are super excited for another great event. As with many other things, the walks for the last two years were canceled and we are SO EXCITED to be back in-person for 2022!

Again for this year you can download the Fight CF mobile app to participate and track your miles walked prior to and at the event - a great way to get some steps in for a worthy cause! And of course you can always donate :). However you participate this year (in-person walker, virtual walker, and/or via donation) we cannot say 'thank you' enough to all those that have supported, and continue to support Cori and her team!

Cori is still an atypical case – she does her twice daily vest, takes her Kalydeco two times a day, and has the occasional antibiotic when she’s sick.  Overall, she is still a typical kid - just with her CF super powers. :)

Eight years ago we couldn't have imagined all of the promising things that have happened in the CF community and so much of that is a result of the work that the CF Foundation does. Despite the ongoing COVID pandemic the CF Foundation continued to forge ahead in pursuit of a cure. Just in the last year, they’ve:

• Received approval of Trikafta for children 6-11 years old with certain mutations (great news for starting treatment early)
• Awarded Eloxx up to $2.6M for studies on Nonsense Mutations - especially the G542X mutation that is the most common CF nonsense mutation and one of Cori's. This is also significant research because in addition to CF, there are approximately 1,800 diseases caused by nonsense mutations and most are still in pursuit of treatment/cure.
• Awarded Life Edit Therapeutics $400K to explore gene editing technology for CF individuals with nonsense mutations. As well as 1.8M to Carmine Inc., GenexGen Inc. (CRISPR), and Specific Biologics Inc. for genetic therapies research.
• Awarded $5M to BiomX for research on the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance
• Exceeded Initial $100M Infection Research Initiative Funding over two years ahead of their goal
• And many more exciting things in the world of gene editing, antibiotics, and of course research on COVID-19 and the CF community

All of these things are helping to extend the tomorrows for CF patients.  However, there is still a lot of work to be done and it's crucial that we continue to support the CF Foundation and all that they do.

My intent with this team is to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis - for EVERY child and person with the disease, not just Cori.  We always have a fantastic time participating in the Great Strides Walk - won’t you join us?  Whether you make a financial donation, participate in the Great Strides walk for Cori’s Sunshine Superheroes, or just support us with your encouragement...THANK YOU! -Julie

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Since 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been the driving force behind the pursuit of a cure. Thanks to the dedication and financial backing of our supporters — patients, families and friends, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, individual donors, corporations and staff, we are making a difference.