Chairman's Welcome

As the understanding of the science of CF increases, there is a correlated growth in the number of opportunities to discover and develop new potentially lifesaving therapies. Today, there are early phase trials underway in CF gene therapy, protein-assist therapy, as well as studies testing anti-infective drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs. With the increasing number of potential drugs and an innovative network of specialized clinical trial centers to evaluate them, the future for those battling CF has never been brighter. In fact, thanks to the Therapeutics Development Program and other Foundation supported programs like it, there is more promise than ever before. Truly for the first time in history the therapies and trials on the horizon outnumber the funds that we are able to raise to support them.

This event benefits not only the corporations that sponsor the event, but the community as a whole. With the incredible visual and audio hits that this high profile event receives, cystic fibrosis and disease awareness are elevated to a new high. Add the star power of retired and active professional and college level athletes and coaches in a city and a part of the country that lives for sports and the recipe is magical.

Additionally, over the life of this event, well over $3 million dollars has been raised in Nebraska in the fight against cystic fibrosis. Monies that are making a difference for the tens of thousands of children and young adults living with CF.

Monies raised in Nebraska also help to fund the local CF Care Center at Children's Hospital. These facilities promote high-quality, state-of-the-art, specialized care for individuals with CF. Each year, care centers must meet the stringent review of the CF Foundation's Care Center Committee to receive accreditation and funding to assist them in their operations. Nearly $300,000 was awarded to the CF Care Center in Omaha for the 2010 fiscal year. In conclusion, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is incredibly bottom line oriented so you can be certain that the money is going directly towards CF patient care, drug development and research that will ultimately help find the cure or control for cystic fibrosis.

Sincerely,
Matt Hickey & Sam Tynan
Event Co-Chairmen