BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced the recipients of its fourth annual Impact Grants, which provide funding to people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are leading unique projects in their communities to help and empower people with the disease and their families and loved ones.
CF is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time, and ultimately causes premature death. Thanks to improvements in treatments and care, outcomes for people with CF have improved dramatically, but managing the disease requires a complex and demanding care regimen and significant social support.
Advances in treatments and care led by the CF Foundation have added decades of life and unprecedented hope for the future for people living with CF. “Living with a chronic disease such as CF can be challenging, and people who experience those challenges have special insights about ways to connect and serve this community,” said Drucy Borowitz, M.D., vice president of Community Partnerships at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “Adults living with CF and their family members and friends are bringing new energy and perspective to help people with CF in their day-to-day life. The Foundation is honored to provide resources through the Impact Grant program to support bringing their visions to life.”
Recipients will receive up to $10,000 in funding and are selected in consultation with the CF Adult Advisory Council, an external panel comprised entirely of adults with CF.
Recipients of the 2019 Impact Grants are:
Cystic Arts by Khloe’s Hope is an art therapy YouTube channel that features lessons on drawing, painting, sculpting, needle crafting, jewelry making, and other artistic expressions to help people with CF and their caregivers of all ages work through the emotions that come with having CF.
Fall Risk: The CF Musical Comedy is a CF-based musical comedy bringing people living with CF together virtually in musical theatre through singing, playing instruments, writing music, or lending their voice for a speaking role. Participants will take part in arranging music for the show and recording a demo CD.
Health Advocacy Summit is a day-long conference, with ability to attend and interact virtually, that provides young adults with chronic and rare diseases with the support, knowledge, and skills to become strong advocates for themselves and their communities through discussion-based sessions and speakers.
sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir is a virtual choir expanded from the Breathe Bravely sINgSPIRE program where people living with CF receive music and voice assignments, connect through online group video rehearsals, and record their individual parts together to create a unified choral piece.
The Salty Life: A Cystic Fibrosis Magazine by the Salty Foundation is a print magazine dedicated to showcasing all demographics of the CF community and shining a light on important topics by sharing perspectives from children, adults, and families affected by CF.
Applications for the 2020 Impact Grants will open in January 2020. For more information about the Impact Grants Program, visit www.cff.org/ImpactGrants.
About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The CF Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of CF Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the CF Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, please go to www.cff.org.