Fundraising Blues

My family is putting together a fundraiser called "Need to Breathe". This is a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis. All the money raised goes to research, education, and will ultimately be used to further and/or save thousands of lives including Dylan's.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited, life-threatening disease of the mucus glands. This causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas, causing progressive damage to the respiratory system, chronic digestive system problems, and can also affect other organs. When the mucus clogs the lungs, it can make breathing very difficult and can cause bacteria or germs to get stuck in the airways, which then causes inflammation and infections that lead to lung damage. The mucus can also block the digestive tract and the pancreas. The thick mucus stops the digestive enzymes from getting to the intestine. These enzymes are needed by the body to break down food so that the body can receive the important nutrients it needs to help it grow and stay healthy. Digestive enzymes are often needed, in the form of capsules, to replace these enzymes and help people with cystic fibrosis digest their meals and snacks and get the proper nutrition. The production of abnormally thick, sticky mucus in the body's organs is what causes the signs and symptoms of this disorder. Problems with breathing are among the most serious of symptoms. Mucus can obstruct the airways and cause bacterial infections in the lungs, which leads to chronic coughing, wheezing, and inflammation. Over time, mucus buildup and infections will lead to permanent lung damage. This lung damage includes the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) and cysts in the lungs.

Most people with cystic fibrosis also have digestive problems. Mucus blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing the necessary enzymes produced by that organ from reaching the intestines to help digest food. The problems with digestion often lead to diarrhea, malnutrition, and weight loss.

Dylan has a lot more trouble with his digestive system than with his lungs currently. He is at a higher risk to getting colds, and other lung infections which can damage his lungs further. No children should have to go through what he is going through both physically and emotionally. He is angry about having CF often. This makes me really sad as his mother and I try to make every day a fun day for him. It is really hard to make sure he is having a really fun life, and keep him disciplined as well. Sometimes the balance is not quite there, but we make sure that he gets to do all the extra activities that he wants to do.

My husband and I have been calling places to get donations to the fundraiser and have been having some bad luck. Businesses either only donate to a specific charity or flat out do not donate at all. What has this country come to? Large corporations cannot spare a measly $50.00 to help out a good cause? I find it very interesting that some businesses only donate to a specific charity, American Heart Association. Our charity has a four-out-of-four stars rating from Charity Navigator for achieving excellence in fiscal responsibility. That is the best you can get!!!

We are having this fundraiser so that we can raise money and give Dylan and other children like him a chance at a long and happy life. These kids deserve that. If you would like to donate to the cause or just help out with the charity please visit the following website.

http://www.needtobreatheonline.com/

I am hoping that the rest of the weeks calls go better than the beginning of the weeks calls!