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In the U.S., more than 30,000 people live with cystic fibrosis—a debilitating disease that affects the lungs and other parts of the body. And while there is currently no cure, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is working hard to change that.
To support CF patients, the Utah and Idaho Chapter of the CF Foundation holds an annual Taste of Utah event. This typically features the best restaurants, chefs and catering establishments the state has to offer, as well as a live and silent auction.
But, as with most things in 2020, it's going to look a little different this year. The event will be moving to a virtual format with an online auction to raise money for the foundation.
It all began in 1955 with a group of concerned parents who were determined to save the lives of their children. Little was known about the disease at the time, except that those who had it weren't expected to live long enough to attend elementary school.
Today, because of the CF Foundation, people are living into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. Approximately half of all people living with CF today are over the age of 18.
The diligent efforts of the foundation and its supporters account for virtually every approved CF drug available today.
Here's why you'll want to participate in the online auction.
Help provide relief and increase life expectancy for CF patients
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. The disease can also affect other parts of the body, including the pancreas, bladder, kidneys, intestines, liver, and reproductive organs.
Although there's currently no cure, various treatments may help relieve symptoms or reduce the risk of complications. Through antibiotics, mucus-thinning medications, bronchodilators, and some surgical procedures, patients are living longer, more fulfilling lives.
Thanks to these breakthroughs, the life expectancy of a person born with CF has doubled in the last 30 years, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As research continues, this figure will drastically improve over time—provided there are sufficient funds for drug development programs.
In this year's virtual Taste of Utah event, you can help fund these programs by participating in the online auction or making a donation directly on the website.
Ensure people with the disease get high-quality care
When it comes to making charitable donations, it's often hard to know which foundations are reputable. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis.
The CF Foundation funds more cystic fibrosis research than any other organization. Their mission is "to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care."
Your donation or auction participation gets them one step closer to that goal.
Free registration for the online auction
The best part about registering for the event? It's completely free. So even if you're mildly curious about the auction items or if you'd like to learn more about CF, it's worth checking out.
The auction goes live at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, and will run through Nov. 14. Right now, you can register for free by visiting the event page and selecting "free auction registration."
Before the auction begins, you'll receive a preview of the items up for bidding, as well as a link when it goes live. You can also use this page to make a donation.
(Note: Because nothing is more important than the health and safety of the CF community, the auction items are only gift cards or certificates. Participants may bid on tangible items, but pick-up and delivery will be coordinated between the donor and winner.)
Join the virtual celebration
You can be a part of this year's Taste of Utah celebration from the comfort of your own home. (Whether you dress up or wear pajamas is completely up to you!)
This year, the virtual celebration will be held live via Zoom on Nov. 12. The program will be somewhat similar to the traditional Taste of Utah event—with a few modifications. You'll hear stories and updates from the CF community, complete with an emcee and a panel for discussion. Sit back, relax, and be entertained for a good cause—you won't regret it.
The link will be posted on the Utah-Idaho CF Foundation's Facebook page and other social media channels.
To help the foundation reach its fundraising goal, you can help spread the word by sharing about the event on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. For more information, click here or visit events.cff.org/tasteofutah.
