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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
Rider Blogs
  • James Zlosnik\'s 2007 Blog

    James has been kind enough to let us post his ride blog entries. To read his complete blog you can visit it directly by following this link.

    James has also posted his photo gallery from this years ride over at Flickr.

    A summary of all the images in this blog can be found here.

  • Chris Kvam\'s Blog

    2008 Chris Kvam's Blog!

  • David\'s 2007 Blog

    I want to caution those of you who are new to this therapy circle, that the views expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect those of my siblings, my parents, my wife, my children or my pets. In particular they may be at odds with the leaders of the two North American countries through which I will ride.

  • David\'s 2006 Blog

    I want to caution those of you who are new to this therapy circle, that the views expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect those of my siblings, my parents, my wife, my children or my pets. In particular they may be at odds with the leaders of the two North American countries through which I will ride.

  • Georgia\'s Story

    About Georgia

    Seven-year-old Georgia is a spirited girl who loves puppies, jazz dance, writing, coloring, and shopping. She enjoys her grade two class. And she has cystic fibrosis (C.F.).

    “It’s amazing what kids can get used to,” says Georgia’s mum April. “We have been incredibly lucky despite her very rough start. She has only been hospitalized twice since her first long hospital stay. Now Georgia has mostly good days. Some are not so good, because her stomach can give her a lot of problems, but she has a cheery personality and bounces back quickly.”

    Georgia had her first surgery the day after she was born. That operation saved her life from a serious intestinal blockage caused by C.F. Along with her family, Georgia spent the first six months of her life at BC Children's Hospital, recovering and waiting for the final operation that would allow her to come home for good. Treatment for Georgia's C.F. includes physiotherapy for her lungs, many medications to aid digestion, and antibiotics to prevent and fight lung infection. Every few months, Georgia visits her C.F. doctors for tests and follow up.

    “We saw the dedication of all the doctors at the BC Children’s Hospital in caring for the kids, and all the years they’ve put into learning what best helps the kids,” says April. “As a parent, you feel helpless. We’re supporting the Gear Up Ride 4 CF for any chance that any new medication can be discovered for cystic fibrosis, to lessen the impact of all the different problems that go on with the disease.”

  • Bill Markvoort\'s Blog

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.