MOTHERHOOD: Cystic Fibrosis Walk

Below is a letter from a friend of mine that also has twin boys. One of her sons has Cystic Fibrosis and her family is trying to raise money Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s national fund-raising event, “Great Strides.” So, please consider donating to this wonderful cause.

May 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know, one of our twin boys, Jonah, was born with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis. CF, which affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States, causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can lead to serious lung infections. This thick mucus can also block the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines leading to poor digestion and absorption of food. Only a few decades ago, babies born with CF rarely lived into childhood. Recent strides in CF research have been amazing, and the outlook for CF patients is encouraging. Consistent, aggressive, time consuming treatments are necessary to keep CF patients healthy. Daily breathing treatments, including aerosolized antibiotics and chest pounding therapy to dislodge mucus are necessary to keep the lungs clear. Most CF patients also take pancreatic enzyme supplements with any snack or meal to help them properly digest and absorb food. A progressive disease, CF can also cause additional health issues as time goes by, such as CF-related diabetes, osteoporosis, and liver damage. Thanks to the incredible research being done, revolutionary treatments and drugs have made an incredible difference for patients with CF, but precious lives are still lost to CF every day. More research is needed to help improve and extend the lives of patients and help us move forward in the quest for a cure.

Our family is asking you to join us in supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s national fund-raising event, “Great Strides.” Walks are held throughout the year across the country, making Great Strides the CF Foundation’s largest and most successful national fund-raising event. Our family will be walking in the Huntington Beach walk on May 20th. Please support us by sponsoring our family to help us reach our fund-raising goal of $5,000. Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively, as more than $.90 out of every dollar contributed will be used to fund the vital programs of the CF Foundation. Or, if you’re up for it, join us as a walker for Team Jonah and find sponsors to help us reach our goal! The walk will be on Saturday, May 20th and will begin at Bolsa Chica State Beach between Seapoint and Warner. Check-in begins there at 8:30 am, and the walk begins at 10:00 am.

To make a tax-deductible donation that will be credited to Team Jonah, please visit our team website at www.cff.org/Great_Strides/RobAndMarikkaOstermann. Making a donation online is easy and secure. Or you can contact us for other ways to donate. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated and will help us reach our team goal. If you would like to join Team Jonah as a walker, please visit www.cff.org/Great_Strides/RobAndMarikkaOstermann and click on “Join my walk team.” If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at home at 562) 461-8664 or e-mail us at robostermann@gmail.com. If you would like more information about CF and the CF Foundation, please visit www.cff.org. Please feel free to pass this letter and the website on to family and friends who would be willing to donate or be interested in joining our walk team.

Thank you for you support and love.

Love,
Rob, Marikka, Jonah, and Javan Ostermann

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Technorati Codes: Motherhood, Twins, Family, SAHM, Stay at Home MomToddlers, Kids