“Fighting to make cf stand for cure found” is Bella’s motto for her team at the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk that took place at the Naval Academy on June 5th.  The walk raised almost $200,000 towards finding a cure and Bella’s Warriors raised almost $4,000 of that amount.  Bella’s Warriors is a National Team because she has participants in several states participating in the Great Strides Walk at their location.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease characterized by the buildup of thick, sticky mucus that can damage many of the body’s organs  The airways, digestive system, reproductive system, and other organs and tissues are affected.  This abnormal mucus can clog the airways, leading to significant problems with breathing and bacterial infections in the lungs. These infections cause chronic coughing, wheezing, and inflammation. Over time, mucus buildup and infections result in permanent lung damage, including the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) and cysts in the lungs.  Additionally. many times the digestive system is affected causing digestive and growth problems.

Cystic Fibrosis is most common among the white population occurring 1 in 2,500 to 3,500 newborns.  Less common among African Americans, it affects this group 1 in 17,000 and Asian Americans 1 in 31,000.  In order to have Cystic Fibrosis, each parent must carry one copy of the mutated gene.  The parents may never show or symptom of the disease.  Sometimes the disease does not show itself until the child has a serious of lung infections or growth problems.  The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the easier it can be controlled.

I can see a cure being found in the future for this life-threatening disease!