Blackburn and Fontbonne Partner for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness

This past weekend Blackburn College and Fontbonne University partnered up to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in memory of Jan Thompson. The fundraiser was held in conjunction with the volleyball match between the two schools. In addition to raising awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, there were silent auction baskets, donated by both schools as well as friends and family of Jan, to help raise money. Because of COVID restrictions at the gym, the event was moved outside and live-streamed for those unable to attend. 

The Cystic Fibrosis Awareness match began at former SLIAC institution MacMurray College in 2015 with then-head coach Danielle Doerfler who has since joined the Fontbonne administration as Associate Athletic Director. Her former player, Morgan Hauser, head coach at Blackburn College, and Doerfler wanted to continue the tradition of raising awareness and donations for Cystic Fibrosis. All proceeds from the event went directly to the Gateway Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Cystic Fibrosis Awareness match will continue next season when Fontbonne plays host to Blackburn.

"I am grateful for all of our alumnae who have traveled here today to celebrate and honor Jan, as well as continue to help us raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. Jan was a tremendously impactful individual. She fought and beat CF for 50 years and was the recipient of a double lung transplant. She was humble and wanted to continue to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis. To talk about, to understand what it is, and to motivate people to donate so we can find a cure. Your donations today, I promise you, are getting us closer to that cure," said Doerfler.

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry, in the United States, more than 30,000 people are living with cystic fibrosis. Worldwide, there are more than 70,000 cases. Approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year. In 1955, a group of parents started the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as there were no treatments for cystic fibrosis.

These parents set their sights high -- to advance understanding of this little-known disease, to create new treatments and specialized care for their children, and to find a cure. In the ensuing years, the fundraising and commitment of the CF community have enabled the Foundation to support fundamental research in the laboratory that has led to groundbreaking discoveries, including the identification of the gene and protein responsible for cystic fibrosis. By expanding our knowledge
of the underlying biology of the disease and its effect on the body, researchers have paved the way for creating new treatments.

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