May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

Every Canadian Called on to Fight for People Struggling with CF 

TORONTO, April 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Tomorrow marks the first day of May, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month. Throughout the month, Cystic Fibrosis Canada shines the spotlight on 4,000 Canadians living with this fatal genetic disease, by raising awareness and funds for life-saving CF research and care. 

"Every week, two children are diagnosed and one person dies from this devastating disease in Canada," said Maureen Adamson, CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. "Too many young lives are cut short by cystic fibrosis; almost half of the sufferers who die do not live to see their 25^th birthday. We continue to courageously invest in innovative CF research and care, but we can only do this with the generous support of Canadians. May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and I invite everyone to champion and support our great cause."

Ryan Morrissette, a dedicated CF Champion, is a 17-year-old dancer and member of the B.C. hip-hop dance crew Freshh. Despite being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of two, Ryan is embarking on a successful dance career thanks to improvements in CF treatments and care. When diagnosed, his family was told he would not live past his eighth birthday.

"People with CF like me, never get a day off from hours of therapy and dozens of medications that keep us breathing," said Ryan. "I hope every Canadian will join us by walking and sponsoring the Great Strides walk™ on Sunday, May 27 ^th in almost 70 places across Canada. And if you're in B.C., come on out to Great Strides in New Westminster and watch me and Freshh ramp-up the walk with the moves that got us into the Canada's Got Talent finals coming up on May 13 ^th!"

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. It is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. As improved therapies have helped to address the malnutrition issues, ultimately most deaths related to cystic fibrosis are due to lung disease. Currently, there is no cure.

May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
There are many ways to join the fight against cystic fibrosis during May, Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Canadians can participate or sponsor a walker on Sunday, May 27^th, in the Great Strides™ walk in one of 67 locations in Canada; donate to support life-saving CF research and care; help raise awareness about the disease using social media; and participate and fundraise in hundreds of other outstanding events organized by 51 local Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapters across the country.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is one of the world's top three charitable organizations committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and is an internationally-recognized leader in funding CF research, innovation, and clinical care. We invest more funding in life-saving CF research and care than any other non-governmental agency in Canada. Since 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has invested more than $140 million in leading research and care, resulting in one of the world's highest survival rates for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis.

NOTE TO MEDIA: An Electronic Media Kit is available online at http://www.vvcnetwork.ca/cf/20120501/ with May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month interview footage, B-Roll footage, and photographs available for media use in television. Includes Maureen Adamson, CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Ryan Morrissette, CF Champion, diagnosed at age two, Canadians Fighting Cystic Fibrosis.

For more information, please visit:

The Great Strides™ walk at www.cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides
Cystic Fibrosis Canada's website www.cysticfibrosis.ca
Cystic Fibrosis Canada on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CysticFibrosisCanada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CFCanada

Media Contact
Melinda McInnes, Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Program Director, Public Relations and Advocacy
Tel: [phone] ext. 240 | 1-800-378-2233 ext. 240
Cell: 416-371-5196  Email: [email protected]