"I try to reassure everyone who has been affected by this disease that CF isn't the end of the world if you don't want it to be."
The experience of living with cystic fibrosis is markedly different today than it was decades ago. Thanks to the discovery of the CF gene, the availability of effective drug therapies and advances in technology, the 30,000 Americans who deal with the disease day in and day out are living longer and fuller lives. In a word, they are thriving.

There is a multitude of organizations working to support the cystic fibrosis community, as well as a variety of tools and information available to help people with CF not just live, but thrive.

Clinical Trials

Today, there are more than 30 potential drugs in development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. These new therapies can only be made available to the people who need them after they are tested by individuals with CF in a series of clinical trials.

Clinical trials that test potential new drugs and therapies to see how well they work are a major part of CF research. People with CF can play a critical role in the development of new treatments and the search for a cure by participating in clinical trials.

Potential new drugs are being tested at care centers all over the U.S. by people with CF of all ages and levels of health. Your CF care center team is a great source of news about current CF research and information about upcoming studies. Talk with your care center team about what trials they are involved in. In addition, you can do an online search for cystic fibrosis clinical trials (see below).

Source: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (updated September 2009)

In 2008, Boomer made a short video about the importance of clinical trials and how his son, Gunnar, has participated in them.

For additional information on CF care centers, check out the resources below. Additional resources may be found on our Links Page.

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Online search for CF clinical trials
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Drug Development Pipeline
• National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Videos of participants, families and doctors talking about clinical trials
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Frequently asked questions about clinical trials

PREVIOUS
NEXT