Ohio is CF Awareness month. This is a great article re: CF awareness. As a member of the Ohio Cystic Legislative Task Force, I am pleased to share this with you.
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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS0103/605020368/1058/NEWS01
Learning about cystic fibrosis
Visitor tells about living with the disease
BY WILLIAM CROYLE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The third-graders' faces lit up at St. Catherine of Siena School when Nikki Lightner entered their classroom Monday.
They'd never met the 9-year-old from Collins Elementary School in Florence, but had been eagerly awaiting her arrival.
At 18 months old, Nikki was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that produces a thick mucus that clogs the lungs and can be life-threatening. There is no cure.
The class raised more than $300 last week by organizing a schoolwide "Nickels for Nikki" fundraiser.
"We like to keep people happy and have fun doing it," said Caroline Holmes.
Caroline, 8, is president of the class' Don Bosco Club, named for the 19th century saint. Every month, the kids vote on a service project to do.
Their teacher, Heidi Gallagher, is a friend of Nikki's mother and suggested the fundraiser. All the money will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Gallagher said the kids normally don't ask for recognition, but she wanted them to meet Nikki.
"They wanted to know if Nikki looks like them and if she can do the things they do, so we thought it would be good for them to see her and learn about cystic fibrosis," said Gallagher.
Nikki is very athletic and said a lot of people don't know she has the disease.
"She's just like any other kid," Ellie Fangman, 8, said after meeting her.
Nikki does have to take enzymes to help her body break down food, various medications and breathing treatments in the morning and evening. The treatments shake her body to loosen the mucus and last 24 minutes each - something she doesn't care for too much.
"But you get used to it," she said.
Nikki said what the kids did "was neat." Her mom, Michelle O'Hara, cried when she found out about it.
"It's wonderful that people who don't know who Nikki is would want to do this," said O'Hara.
Eight-year-old Olivia Owens, vice president of the club, said she was glad to do it.
"I live a normal life," said Olivia. "I just want other people to be healthy and happy."
E-mail wcroyle@nky.com
THE ENQUIRER / PATRICK REDDY
Nikki Lightner shows children at St. Catherine of Siena School her therapy vest. Nikki's mother, Michelle O'Hara, stands at left. The class raised money to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
About cystic fibrosis
30,000 Number of children and adults in the U.S. affected by cystic fibrosis.
10 million Approximate number of Americans unknowing, symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. 1,000 Number of new cases diagnosed each year.
80 percent Approximate percentage of patients who are diagnosed by age 3.
10 percent Approximate number of newly diagnosed cases age 18 or older.
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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS0103/605020368/1058/NEWS01
Learning about cystic fibrosis
Visitor tells about living with the disease
BY WILLIAM CROYLE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The third-graders' faces lit up at St. Catherine of Siena School when Nikki Lightner entered their classroom Monday.
They'd never met the 9-year-old from Collins Elementary School in Florence, but had been eagerly awaiting her arrival.
At 18 months old, Nikki was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that produces a thick mucus that clogs the lungs and can be life-threatening. There is no cure.
The class raised more than $300 last week by organizing a schoolwide "Nickels for Nikki" fundraiser.
"We like to keep people happy and have fun doing it," said Caroline Holmes.
Caroline, 8, is president of the class' Don Bosco Club, named for the 19th century saint. Every month, the kids vote on a service project to do.
Their teacher, Heidi Gallagher, is a friend of Nikki's mother and suggested the fundraiser. All the money will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Gallagher said the kids normally don't ask for recognition, but she wanted them to meet Nikki.
"They wanted to know if Nikki looks like them and if she can do the things they do, so we thought it would be good for them to see her and learn about cystic fibrosis," said Gallagher.
Nikki is very athletic and said a lot of people don't know she has the disease.
"She's just like any other kid," Ellie Fangman, 8, said after meeting her.
Nikki does have to take enzymes to help her body break down food, various medications and breathing treatments in the morning and evening. The treatments shake her body to loosen the mucus and last 24 minutes each - something she doesn't care for too much.
"But you get used to it," she said.
Nikki said what the kids did "was neat." Her mom, Michelle O'Hara, cried when she found out about it.
"It's wonderful that people who don't know who Nikki is would want to do this," said O'Hara.
Eight-year-old Olivia Owens, vice president of the club, said she was glad to do it.
"I live a normal life," said Olivia. "I just want other people to be healthy and happy."
E-mail wcroyle@nky.com
THE ENQUIRER / PATRICK REDDY
Nikki Lightner shows children at St. Catherine of Siena School her therapy vest. Nikki's mother, Michelle O'Hara, stands at left. The class raised money to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
About cystic fibrosis
30,000 Number of children and adults in the U.S. affected by cystic fibrosis.
10 million Approximate number of Americans unknowing, symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. 1,000 Number of new cases diagnosed each year.
80 percent Approximate percentage of patients who are diagnosed by age 3.
10 percent Approximate number of newly diagnosed cases age 18 or older.