Quick Links
For more information on Cystic Fibrosis please visit the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cysticfibrosis.ca
Each province in Canada has active Chapters. There are a total of 50 chapters located in Canada. Individual chapters are made up of volunteers who are deeply committed to finding a solution to CF. They organize and stage fund raising activates, raise awareness of CF in their local communities, and support family and friends who are coping with CF daily.
Click here to find a CCFF Chapter near you.
Contact Us
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Vancouver and Lower Mainland
4050 Graveley Street
Burnaby
British Columbia
Canada
V5C 4A5
Telephone: (604)436-1158
Our chapter office is open
Monday-Friday from 9:30am-5:00pm
|
|
For some riders the climb from Hope to Allison Pass was the dreaded day, for others, myself included, Day 4 was the climb I wanted to put behind me. Perhaps it was the name, Anarchist Mountain (or Antichrist a someone chose to call it), or perhaps it was the fact that the climb started right from the courtyard entrance, or perhaps the idea that you were climbing for the first 30 km., but nevertheless this was the one that based on the profile had me concerned. Therefore it was such a relief to find out that yes it was a grind that never seemed to end, but that the grades were actually quite gentle, which allowed us to spin up with only reasonable effort. It also helped that at our start time of around 8:30 or so, the temperatures were a reasonable low to mid 20’s instead of the Osoyoos norm. I wore a heart monitor and for the duration of the climb I kept it zoned into 120 to 135 which is quite sustainable. The climb itself was very scenic, that is when I actually looked around, with sweeping views across the valley and down on Osoyoos, the town and the lake. In the distance one could see Highway 3 across the valley and the Richter Pass which we had descended yesterday. Very slowly we climbed higher than yesterdays summit. Our first quick stop was at the lookout and then onwards and upwards because it was warming up. The grades stayed constant, the shoulders were quite wide and clean and the odd chip or logging truck roared slowly past us. Relatively speaking there was very little traffic. An RCMP officer commanded Mark Nassan to ride on the shoulder not the road as he prefers to do. At the 20 km mark we got some relief with a 3 to 4 km descent then another 400 metre climb to the summit. By now we were in high forest, ranch and recreational property. We had some fun and a photo-op with a Sasquatch carving near the summit and then enjoyed a very quick but safe descent into Rock Creek. Last year this road was under construction, this year it was one long swoop at 50 km plus. I followed Brian Rose who set a fast pace all the way to Midway. The highway followed the river so the grades were all slightly in our favour. In a vehicle this might all seem flat but to a cyclist going with the river versus going against the river makes a world of difference. We arrived in Midway right at lunch time and Fran had picked a lovely rest stop in the shade and right beside the river. Cold baths for hot limbs do work, so I stripped my shoes and socks off and stood in the river, which definitely had the requisite coolness for as long as I could handle it. Fran had lunch all set out and we pounced on the food as soon as it was prepared. All too soon it was time to put on the shirts and socks and head back out to the Highway. We had a solitary honour guard of a young boy on a bike who kept our pace until another RCMP cruiser hailed him back. A nascent cyclist for future years. We took it easy in the second climb of the day and stayed relatively together. One good piece of news. Sandi had ridden in the vehicle for the morning, but tested her knee at lunch, changed and came back on the road and had a great afternoon with no pain in her knee. It is not hard to imagine that it was not easy for her to watch all her friends cycling up the big hills and knowing you have trained so long and hard and then to be relegated to the car. We cycled through Greenwood which is a town frozen in time and trying to stay alive as a tourist haven much like Chemainus on Vancouver Island. Lovely old houses and restored stores and white wooden churches. After a second long but uneventful climb we again had the pleasure of a 15 km descent into Grand Forks with the knowledge of no more climbing at the end of this descent. Our destination was Johnny’s Motel, a charming old fashioned riverside motel with a grass lawn and tables right beside the river. We had our post ride beer and wine while sitting in the water and life indeed was very, very good. Bill PS I hope Claude gets this in time for his morning coffee, thanks by the way for your email, it prompted me to keep this posting going.
|
Is there a cure?
As yet, there is no known cure for CF, but there is real hope. Comprehensive treatment programs have dramatically extended the life expectancy of persons with CF and many are living into their 20s, 30s and beyond.
Recent years have seen remarkable progress in CF research. Since 1989 when Canadian researchers discovered the gene responsible for CF, global research to find a cure for the disease has brought us closer and closer to a solution.
The astonishing pace of CF science suggests that there is good reason to feel optimistic about the future.
How does CF affect daily life?
For persons with CF, life includes a daily routine of therapy and periodic visits to a CF clinic. Otherwise, most individuals with cystic fibrosis lead normal lives, for many years, in terms of education, physical activity, and social relationships. Eventually, however, lung disease places increasing limits on daily life.
Thanks to the advances in research and clinical care, growing numbers of children with CF are surviving into adulthood. In 1960, when the CCFF was founded, a child born with cystic fibrosis rarely lived four years. CCFF is one of the few organizations that maintains extensive records, tracking a CF patient from first diagnosis. This data base called, the Canadian Patient Data Registry, is proving that advances have been made with the recent announcement that the median age of survival of Canadians with CF has reached its highest point ever: 37 years of age. This means that Canadians with CF now have a 50% chance of living beyond the age of 37. While this is positive news, the need for a cure is crucial for the 50% who won't reach the age of 37.
Over 41% of all Canadians with CF are over the age of 18 years. These men and women are pursuing post-secondary education, careers and many are having families of their own; a tremendous accomplishment, but not enough.
|
