To: NATIONAL EDITORS

Contact: Teresa Barnes of Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, +1-303-521-4080, tbarnes@coalitionforpf.org

Events in Malibu, Cal., Chicago, Ill., and Rockville, Md.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In less than three weeks, three major fundraising events for the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) have brought in record donations. The events benefiting the CPF collectively raised more than a half million dollars for the non-profit that serves patients and families fighting pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and directly funds research. The lung disease characterized by progressive and relentless scarring has no lifesaving treatments and claims 40,000 lives a year, the same as breast cancer. Private funding is urgently needed because of the lack of federal funds invested in the search for a cure.

The Malibu Butterfly Garden Party, hosted by Deirdre Roney, who has lost eight people in her family to pulmonary fibrosis, was held in late September. Her brother, Roc Roney, and his wife, Debbie, hosted the Breathing is Glorious! (B.I.G.) Ball in Chicago last weekend. This week, Dr. Jerome and Froma Sandler hosted the first annual Lisa Sandler Spaeth Memorial Golf tournament in Rockville, Md., in memory of their daughter who died from pulmonary fibrosis in 2007. The majority of funds raised at these events will go towards urgently needed research into PF.

For a disease that affects a known 128,000 people, federal funding is unacceptably low at less than $18 million a year, making private funding essential to progress in finding treatments.

This is a landmark time for the CPF. In all our years of raising funds, weve never been as fortunate as we are now to raise so much money in such a short time, said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the CPF.

We are thrilled with the work of so many selfless volunteers like the Roney and Sandler families, said Michon. They are inspiring to others who have seen someone they love suffer from this tragic disease. With their continued efforts, the CPF will be able to continue to provide much needed services to our patients and their families and to fund promising research that will lead to treatments and a cure.

The CPFs fundraising efforts have increased each year since it was founded in 2001 with the most significant increases coming in the last three years. To date, the CPF has funded more than $1 million in research to find treatments to PF with much of that funding coming from events like these. The CPF partners with the American Thoracic Society to fund peer reviewed, cutting edge research in pulmonary fibrosis.

Background on IPF

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

IPF is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring -- known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from IPF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. IPF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.

About the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure pulmonary fibrosis; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of IPF issues; and works to improve awareness of IPF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 13,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with pulmonary fibrosis. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

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