This fall, my husband Ben and I will be running the New York City Marathon and raising $5,000 for the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). While the training will be strenuous and our bodies will be exhausted, there are 30,000 people with Cystic Fibrosis that would love to have this opportunity to run. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic, life-threatening disease that causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body, particularly in the lungs and pancreas. With experimental medicine and top quality research being done, people with CF are being given more chances to live longer, fuller lives.

My friend Jeni Walentukonis has been battling Cystic Fibrosis all of her life. Each year she spends months in hospitals struggling to breathe. In 2010, her life changed. She participated in an experimental drug treatment and changed her health and well being. She now runs 7 miles each day, rests, lives a healthy life style and takes medicine that is not even out on the market yet. This year Jeni reached 91% lung capacity because of the progress CF research has made.

The Boomer Foundation is a great supporter of CF research. Their goal is to heighten awareness, education and quality of life for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis. The Boomer Foundation also financially supports research aimed at finding a cure for CF. Additionally, money donated to the Boomer Foundation is effective; 97 cents of every dollar donated goes to research.

Cystic Fibrosis research makes a difference now. Since 1980, the life expectancy of a person with CF has increased from 14 years old to now 40 years old. You can help support these great changes and help someone with Cystic Fibrosis today.

On the morning of November 4th I will have run my first ever marathon. The 26.2 miles will officially end my training and hard work and I will be able to rest and relax. However, Jeni will continue to train; running everyday to keep her lungs at their fullest capacity and the effects of Cystic Fibrosis to a minimum.

My goal is to raise $5,000 to help support The Boomer Foundation and to help people with CF find a better way of life. Please find it in your heart to contribute to this cause and watch your money go to beneficial education and research.

To make a donation, click on the donate link below or alternatively, feel free to send a check to payable to Sandi Morris (my mom):

4 Cherokee Drive, Browns Mills, NJ 08015

If you have any questions feel free to call me at 609-280-8033 or send me an e-mail at cjam74@yahoo.com.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Chrissy Morris

Relevant Links:
The Boomer Foundation
http://www.esiason.org/

The Boomer Foundation Charity Navigator Score
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8199

More about Cystic Fibrosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystic_fibrosis