Jean Spaulding

When Celtics legend Bob Cousy retired in 1963, he was the honorary chairman of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. My sister, Martha, then 13, was chosen to represent the CF Foundation, presenting gifts of appreciation to the Cousy family. The old Boston Garden rocked when Cooz bent down and Martha reached up on her skinny legs for this hug. She was gone 3 years later.

In 1955, Martha was 5 when she was diagnosed with a rare new disease, cystic fibrosis. She underwent treatment with Dr. Harry Schwachman at Children's Hospital. My parents were quick to get involved, helping to form and serve in the Massachusetts Chapter of the CF Foundation. Today, the 30,000 people living in the US with CF are enjoying the benefits of the work started back then.  Although the CF Foundation has made tremendous progress, the most important and challenging work still lies ahead. For the ten percent of the CF population who do not have an effective treatment, genetic technology therapy is the key. This type of genetic therapy science is also the science which will form the basis for a true cure for CF. 

I started fundraising for the CF Foundation at a very young age. Back then, it was knocking on doors, asking for donations. Today, it's Great Strides,a fun day of gathering and walking, music and cake! While I started out asking for donations to help my sister, today I ask for your support for those who are still facing this dreadful disease.  Thanks to the work of the Foundation and the support of donors like you, the life expectancy of someone born with CF is now 56 years old. It has more than doubled in the last 30 years!

We won't stop until everyone is cured!  I hope you will help in any way you can.

Thank you,

Jean Grady Spaulding