Supporting Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis
D&S, Ltd. engages interest, acknowledgement and contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Our philanthropic commitment is of both personal and altruistic interest.
Our compassion began with Michael.
Michael's Story
When Michael was eight months old, our family learned that he had Cystic Fibrosis. Michael was born a month early and weighed 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. They were amazed at how big he was and how healthy he was for being a month early, but this would quickly change. At two months old, he had only gained a little over a pound. He was always much smaller than other babies his age, but had wonderful, big cheeks. From the time he was about 3 days old, Michael cried day and night, and never slept more than one hour at a time. He liked to be curled up in a ball. At night, he slept on his mother's stomach, and on his stomach in order to sleep.
At three months old, he began sounding very "phlegmy". He could hardly breathe through his nose; and would need to be in the shower many times during the day and night to try and clear out his sinuses. After five months of continuous sinus infections, several doctor appointments, a visit to an ENT specialist, and antibiotic after antibiotic, Michael was tested for Cystic Fibrosis. We will never forget the day we received the call, telling us that he had this terrible disease. We still get that ugly pit in our stomachs, recalling that day that forever changed our lives and set us on a new journey in life.
We were consumed with worry and the fact that Michael could die an early death. We were obsessed with how to take care of him. We could not believe that this had happened to our family, and how we were going to deal with this disease on a daily basis. For months, we worried ourselves sick about what Michael's future would hold; still hoping, each morning, we would wake and find out it was all a bad nightmare. We used to pray every day and night that Michael would not get any sicker than he was. We now thank God for each day that Michael is healthy.
We wondered for awhile how we were ever going to keep up with the daily routine of pills and daily chest compressions. But we have now learned it is just part of our every day life. The description of "normal" has changed in our house, and it is the only "normal" that Michael knows. Michael is now a very active 5-year-old, and is in pre-school. He does all the normal things any pre-schooler would do, and sometimes more!!!! He is just as active as his friends, if not more, and we are truly blessed with the continued support we receive from our family and friends that help keep him this way.
We, along with our family and friends, continue to pray for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis so that Michael and all the other 30,000 adults and children living with CF will lead a long productive life that they deserve. Our journey continues, and we hope that anyone who reads Michael's story will join our "Journey to a Cure"!
With Love & Hope, Michael's Family
**Michael and his family wish to remain anonymous. We respect their wishes and privacy.**
About Cystic Fibrosis
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
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.
SYMPTOMS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS
People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:
- very salty-tasting skin
- persistent coughing, at times with phlegm
- frequent lung infections
- wheezing or shortness of breath
- poor growth/weight gain in spite of a good appetite
- frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements
STATISTICS
- About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year
- More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two
- More than 40% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older
- In 2006, the predicted median age of survival was 37 years
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.
- Learn more about Testing for Cystic Fibrosis
- Explore all aspects of Living with CF at every stage of life
- See what Treatments are available and what's in development
For further information regarding the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please visit the CFF website: www.cff.org
Monetary donations may be accepted through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.