CF is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease, meaning only people with 2 CFTR mutations have the disease. People with only one CFTR mutation are carriers and do not have the disease. If both parents are carriers, there

is a 1 in 4 chance that their child will receive an abnormal CFTR gene from each parent and have the disease.

While CF is more common in Caucasians, CF occurs in all races and ethnicities.

While there is no cure, life expectancy has steadily improved with the median
survival exceeding 45 years in the United States. However, the median age of death is approximately 30 years. The median is the age that separates the older from younger halves of the group who live or those who die from CF. Half of those who die do so by or before 30 years.

There are now more adults than children with CF in the United States.

The defective gene causes the CFTR protein to not form or work properly, causing abnormal movement of salt and water across the cell, which leads to dehydration of the airway surface and thick mucus that clogs ducts throughout the body.

The sweat chloride measurement, or sweat test, is the recommended test to diagnose CF, since affected people have higher sodium and chloride levels, making the sweat more salty.

Newborn screening for CF done on blood samples can identify most children before one month of age, which allows for early treatment and disease monitoring.

Older children and adults are usually diagnosed based on symptoms, such as frequent respiratory infections, malnutrition, and/or male infertility.

New medications can now help improve CFTR function in the cells of some patients based on the type of gene mutations they have.

CF individuals have abnormally thick mucus, which blocks the airways (obstruction) and leads to repeated infections and damaging inflammation in the lungs. Treatments are directed at trying to prevent and treat these problems.

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Here are some of my favorite images from the evening, you can also find the whole gallery on my website.