Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis Announces New Daughters of PF Program

Program to Highlight the Women Behind the Cause, Support Their Efforts to Raise Awareness and Funding for PF

CULVER CITY, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) today launched a new effort inspired by the tens of thousands of daughters who have seen a parent suffer from Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF), a devastating lung disease with no FDA approved treatment and no cure.

"Across the board in the CPF's advocacy efforts, it is largely the adult daughters of PF patients who are the loudest, strongest voices of PF on and off Capitol Hill," said Mishka Michon, CEO of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. "They remain to fight once their parent has been lost to the disease."

The inaugural group of daughters involved in Daughters of PF includes daughters who are professional women in various fields and specialties including legal, medical, and educational.  The women will create projects across the country and in their local areas to increase awareness and understanding of PF, and some will also hold fundraisers to raise needed money for research and patient support services.  Their efforts will be reflective of their interests and talents and will allow them to make a difference right where they are.

"I am excited to see the launching of the CPF's Daughters of PF.  In my many years as a board member with the CPF, I have been heartened by the dedication and enthusiasm brought to this work by the many daughters who have faced a personal loss from Pulmonary Fibrosis," said Deirdre Roney, CPF board member who has lost her mother and six other relatives to PF.  "Working together through this special campaign will substantially increase the opportunities for awareness-building and funding of the critical work being done for patients."

"I lost my Mom, who was my best friend, my hero, my everything, to Pulmonary Fibrosis.  It is such a horrible experience to watch your loved one suffer from this disease.   When she passed, I promised myself I would do anything and everything to help others learn about this disease and find a cure," said Tami Rippy, a Daughters of PF member. "I reached out to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis for support, and I immediately wanted to join their efforts in any way that I can to promote awareness of PF."

The Daughters of PF will be visible on the CPF's website (www.coalitionforpf.org) and on its Facebook page.

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) 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 PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.  Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the CPF

The CPF is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), 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 PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF 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 23,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

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