About

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, partnering with the CF community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care.

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. There are close to 40,000 children and adults living with cystic fibrosis in the United States (and an estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with CF across 94 countries), and CF can affect people of every racial and ethnic group.

In people with CF, mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause the CFTR protein to become dysfunctional. When the protein is not working correctly, it’s unable to help move chloride — a component of salt — to the cell surface. Without the chloride to attract water to the cell surface, the mucus in various organs becomes thick and sticky.

In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps germs, like bacteria, leading to infections, inflammation, respiratory failure, and other complications. For this reason, avoiding germs is a top concern for people with CF. In the pancreas, the buildup of mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that help the body absorb food and key nutrients, resulting in malnutrition and poor growth. In the liver, the thick mucus can block the bile duct, causing liver disease. In men, CF can affect their ability to have children. Understand how the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) affects the GI system.

Today, because of improved medical treatments and care, more than half of people with CF are age 18 or older. Many people with CF can expect to live healthy, fulfilling lives into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

For more information, please visit www.cff.org/intro-cf/about-cystic-fibrosis

At the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we commit to equity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion as core principles guiding our efforts to provide all people with CF the opportunity to live long, fulfilling lives. We strive to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please be aware that a 3-week notice is requested as some accommodations may require time for the Foundation to arrange. If you have a disability and require accommodations to fully participate in this activity, please contact, Olivia Younan, 323-939-0758, oyounan@cff.org