Cystic Fibrosis Update

Dear Friend,

As 2006 comes to a close, I would like to thank you for being a part of our team. Because of people like you, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has made tremendous progress this year and is making a real difference in the lives of people with cystic fibrosis.

The best measure of our success is the increased life expectancy for people with CF. In 2006, the predicted median age of survival increased to almost 37 years old, up from 35 in 2005.

This improvement is due in large part to our robust drug discovery and development program. This year, we played a key role in the development of hypertonic saline, a new inhaled therapy proven to improve pulmonary function and reduce hospitalizations. Now widely available to CF patients, thousands of people are currently benefiting from this new therapy.

Today, we have nearly 30 potential therapies advancing through various stages of discovery and development. Inspire Pharmaceuticals is currently recruiting 300 patients to participate in clinical trials for denufosol, which aims at treating the basic defect in CF. Gilead Sciences is preparing to conduct clinical trials for a potential antibiotic, aztreonam. And Vertex Pharmaceuticals' potentiator compound, which may help correct the function of the CF gene's defective protein, has also moved into clinical trials.

This year's progress in CF research would not have been possible without the outstanding dedication and commitment of our generous supporters. Together, we are adding tomorrows every day to the lives of those with CF. Click here to find out how you can get involved now and in the coming year.

Thank you again for your support, and best wishes for a joyous holiday season.

Sincerely yours,

Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., President and CEO
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
6931 Arlington Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(800) FIGHT CF
Web: www.cff.org
E-mail: info@cff.org
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