All proceeds from Clink & Dink for a Cure go to Fight CF Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in Hampton Roads. Fight CF funds critical research needed to develop life-sustaining medication and treatments on the road to a cure. Fight CF also provides needed assistance to qualifying CF patients in Hampton Roads through partnerships with our two local CF Care Centers at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS, THE DISEASE

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. There are close to 40,000 children and adults living with cystic fibrosis in the United States (and an estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with CF across 94 countries). CF can affect people of every racial and ethnic group.

In people with CF, mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause the CFTR protein to become dysfunctional. When the protein is not working correctly, it’s unable to help move chloride — a component of salt — to the cell surface. Without the chloride to attract water to the cell surface, the mucus in various organs becomes thick and sticky. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps germs, like bacteria, leading to infections, inflammation, respiratory failure, and other complications.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHTER THAN EVER

In 2019, the FDA approved a ground breaking medication called Trikafta^®. In the CF Community, Trikafta has been dubbed a “miracle drug” and many CF patients refer to it as their “new lease on life.” Trikafta is a twice daily combination therapy combining three CFTR modulators; elexacaftor + tezacaftor + ivacaftor. While Trikafta is a big step in the right direction toward a cure, it is not a cure and it is not effective for all CF patients.

We are dedicated to fight CF until a cure is found!