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For more information on Cystic Fibrosis please visit the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cysticfibrosis.ca

Each province in Canada has active Chapters. There are a total of 50 chapters located in Canada. Individual chapters are made up of volunteers who are deeply committed to finding a solution to CF. They organize and stage fund raising activates, raise awareness of CF in their local communities, and support family and friends who are coping with CF daily.

Click here to find a CCFF Chapter near you.

Contact Us

Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Vancouver and Lower Mainland

4050 Graveley Street
Burnaby
British Columbia
Canada
V5C 4A5

Telephone: (604)436-1158

Our chapter office is open
Monday-Friday from 9:30am-5:00pm

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The 2008 GearUp4CF Riders!

Epic 10 Day Ride Across BC!

Brought to you by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

This year, cyclists will embark on a 1200km ride over nine days through some grueling terrain including the Rockies, Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. GearUp4CF is a fully supported ride with vans and meals and accommodations provided to the riders along the route.

Each rider is responsible for raising a minimum of five thousand dollars for the charity event that supports research into cystic fibrosis, a fatal inherited disease that affects one in every 3,600 children born in Canada each year. Money raised through this event will go directly toward research and therapy to improve the lives of those affected by cystic fibrosis. For more information on the route, the riders and how you can sponsor a cyclist, please browse this site or contact the CCFF Chapter Office at 604-436-1158

 

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Is there a cure?

As yet, there is no known cure for CF, but there is real hope. Comprehensive treatment programs have dramatically extended the life expectancy of persons with CF and many are living into their 20s, 30s and beyond.

Recent years have seen remarkable progress in CF research. Since 1989 when Canadian researchers discovered the gene responsible for CF, global research to find a cure for the disease has brought us closer and closer to a solution.

The astonishing pace of CF science suggests that there is good reason to feel optimistic about the future.

How does CF affect daily life?

For persons with CF, life includes a daily routine of therapy and periodic visits to a CF clinic. Otherwise, most individuals with cystic fibrosis lead normal lives, for many years, in terms of education, physical activity, and social relationships. Eventually, however, lung disease places increasing limits on daily life.

Thanks to the advances in research and clinical care, growing numbers of children with CF are surviving into adulthood. In 1960, when the CCFF was founded, a child born with cystic fibrosis rarely lived four years. CCFF is one of the few organizations that maintains extensive records, tracking a CF patient from first diagnosis. This data base called, the Canadian Patient Data Registry, is proving that advances have been made with the recent announcement that the median age of survival of Canadians with CF has reached its highest point ever: 37 years of age. This means that Canadians with CF now have a 50% chance of living beyond the age of 37. While this is positive news, the need for a cure is crucial for the 50% who won't reach the age of 37.

Over 41% of all Canadians with CF are over the age of 18 years. These men and women are pursuing post-secondary education, careers and many are having families of their own; a tremendous accomplishment, but not enough.

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What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a fatal inherited disease. CF affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, CF causes severe breathing problems. A build-up of thick mucus makes it difficult to clear bacteria and leads to cycles of infection and inflammation, which damage the delicate lung tissues.

In the digestive tract, CF makes it extremely difficult to digest and absorb adequate nutrients from food. Thick mucus also blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food. Therefore, persons with CF must consume a large number of artificial enzymes (up to 40 pills a day) with every meal and snack, to help them absorb adequate nutrition from their food. They must also follow a demanding daily routine of physical therapy to keep the lungs free of congestion and infection