Our main emphasis is providing nutritional support due to the high caloric demands of cystic fibrosis. CF adults willingly opt into our program. We interview them to determine the nutritional sources that would best help them meet their caloric needs.
Nutritional Support
Our nutritional support may include CF formula nutritious shakes and bars, vitamin supplements recommended by clinical dietitians, and grocery store food purchases to ensure that they can access the types and quantities of food they need every month.
Travel Subsidies
Unfortunately it is often the case that people living with CF have too little money to eat and afford gasoline to travel to clinical treatments. In these moments of crisis, the Relief Fund will provide subsidies for gasoline and parking fees. For patients who live 150 miles or more from their clinic, motel rooms may be provided.
Medical Supplies
It is also unfortunate that some of our recipients have to make the choice between purchasing medical supplies and groceries. Again, for these moments of crisis, we provide funds for medical supplies, typically nebulizer cups for breathing treatments.
Community and Geographic Areas Served
Our recipients are primarily adults 18+ but also children living with cystic fibrosis who receive their regular treatment and medical care at the Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center (MCFC), the MCFC’s Pediatric Specialty Care Discovery Clinic, Mayo Clinic or Children’s Minnesota and who are in potentially life-threatening health because they are going hungry due to temporary financial crisis.
Outcomes
We are proud to report that our recipients achieved the following results in the last two years:
• 80% gain weight in the program
• 70% stabilize and maintain weight in the program
• 85% maintain their independence
• 70% felt significantly less stress over food security
• 85% experience a higher quality of life
• 85% increase their feelings of maintaining dignity with family and friends
• 75% who were employed or in school feel ready to return or seek employment upon exiting the program
• The rate of returning beneficiaries to our program is under 3%