“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for CF and supports a broad range of research initiatives to tackle the disease from all angles.

Cystic fibrosis is genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. It is progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time.

There are close to 40,000 children and adults living with cystic fibrosis in the United States and an estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with CF across 94 countries. CF can affect people of every racial and ethnic group.

There are many things that are misconceptions about CF.

In people with CF, mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause the CFTR protein to not function properly. When the protein is not working correctly, it’s unable to help move chloride — a part of salt — to the cell surface. Without the chloride to attract water to the cell surface, the mucus in various organs becomes thick and sticky.

CF affects multiple organs in the body.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (About Cystic Fibrosis | Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)