Melissa Shiffman

Great Strides is happening on Saturday, May 20th at 9am, in a new location:  Pier 84, located on the Hudson River between 42nd and 43rd Streets. 

Cystic Fibrosis continues to be the best story in medicine. Just this week, Trikafta was approved for 2-5 year olds.  While not a cure, Trikafta benefits 90% of people with CF, helping the defective CFTR proteins work more effectively, decreasing the buildup of sticky mucus that causes chronic bacteria and infections. Kids born today will have an unbelievably different experience living with CF than my brother,  Jason, and I did. The median life expectancy for someone born with CF in 2022 has increased to 56! 

Perfect segue. Someone is turning 50 in July! (It’s me). I was asked to write a blog on my reflections as I turn 50. It has been published to kick off CF Awareness Month this May. Please do read it! It’s short. https://www.cff.org/community-posts/2023-04/turning-50-cf

We still need a cure and, until that time, better interventions for the myriad of issues this multisystem disease causes! 10% of people with CF do not have a CFTR modulator like Trikafta.  With your generous support, we can get there. Please consider making a donation. 

P.S. If you have already donated to Steve’s Herculean 5 Boro Bike Ride, thank you so much! It all goes to the same place - the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - so don’t double donate!!!! Cheers!!