"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.
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Podcast 81: Patrick Newman - Gearing Up for College with CF

Patrick Newman, 18 years old with cystic fibrosis, lives in Missouri. Patrick is playing sports, enjoying friends and family, and gearing up for college.  Patrick will attend the University of Missouri in the fall and is looking forward to being independent and taking responsibility for his health care.

  • Patrick works hard at staying healthy with all his treatments to manage his CF. “I know that those few tiny moments I spend doing my treatments could add years onto my life," he says.
  • “I grew up in a healthy environment, active in soccer, baseball and golf. I also learned, at an early age, to take responsibility for myself," he says.
  • Patrick is looking forward to going away to college to experience higher education, socializing and being “my own boss."
  • “I am very lucky to have my family and friends as a great support system, and I will be rooming with my best friend at college – it’s all about partnership," Patrick says.
  • The biggest challenge Patrick faces with CF is time management.
  • Patrick will be majoring in biology, wants to attend medical school, and hopes to study abroad for one semester.
  • Patrick on being compliant: “You do not want to play catch-up with your therapies, so just do it. I do it because I want to live and enjoy life!”
  • Patrick’s advice to others with CF thinking about college: “Step it up! Get out there and live and do not alienate yourself."

This “<span style="" font-weight:"="">LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast series is the 3rd in a series of 12 made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

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