Community Outreach

MedsFile.com Sponsored GREAT STRIDES: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and has posted Story and Pictures

May 19, 2008-- MedsFile.com is a proud sponsor of GREAT STRIDES: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's annual walk.

On Saturday, May 17, 2008, MedsFile.com joined GREAT STRIDES on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, GA. GREAT STRIDES is the largest national fundraising initiative for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

In addition to the walk itself, MedsFile.com had representatives sponsor a Rest Station where we distributed food and water, and assisted over a thousand walkers. Of course, where MedsFile.com goes, fun follows. Along with the food and drinks, there were free MedsFile.com giveaways!

We were so proud to have had the opportunity to participate in this worthy community event to raise awareness and funds. So many young lives depend on the vital, ongoing advances in CF research. Walking in GREAT STRIDES was such an effective way to add tomorrows to the lives of those with CF.

Here are some photos from the event. Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis after the pictures.

(Much of) Team MedsFile.com!	...and their Backs!

The following information is from the official GREAT STRIDES homepage. Please visit their site to learn how you can become involved, too!

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, GREAT STRIDES raises money for critical research, care and education programs. In 2007, GREAT STRIDES raised an unprecedented $34.6 million. This year, the Foundation seeks to top that goal by raising $38 million nationwide.

"We have made tremendous advances in the fight against CF, and there is much promising research on the horizon. The volunteers who take part in GREAT STRIDES are absolutely essential to our continued progress toward a cure and control for this disease," said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Foundation. "We are grateful to each and every walker who joins us."

GREAT STRIDES walks began in March and will continue through May. Overall, thousands of walkers are expected to turn out at 581 walk sites in the United States.

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Statistics

About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two.
More than 40% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.
In 2006, the predicted median age of survival was 37 years.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Since 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been the driving force behind the pursuit of a cure. Thanks to the dedication and financial backing of our supporters--patients, families and friends, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, individual donors, corporations and staff, we are making a difference.