Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis Achieves Milestones in PF Funding, Advocacy and Awareness

Pulmonary Fibrosis Efforts Grow in 2010

CULVER CITY, Calif., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) achieved milestones in 2010 in advocacy, research support and awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF). PF is a fatal disease that has no known cause, no FDA-approved treatment, and no cure.

The CPF increased national awareness efforts in 2010, via non-traditional as well as mainstream media.  Stories of PF, through the personal accounts of patients including Bob O'Rourke, aired on major national media including NBC's The Today Show, CNN and NBC Nightly News, brought the message to more than five million viewers.  Radio stories such as one aired by NPR reached hundreds of thousands more and web audiences and social media further disseminated the message of the disease throughout the country.

A billboard ad with the potential, over time to reach millions of people, delivered a message about PF as more than 130,000 people pass a jumbotron (electronic advertising billboard) billboard on Northern California's Interstate 80 each day for several months.  The jumbotron ad copy asked "How Long Have You Had That Cough?" and then listed the CPF name followed by the web address, www.cough-cough.org .   A trucking company, Inman Trucking, owned by PF patient, Tommy Spivey, posted "Stop Pulmonary Fibrosis" signs on its fleet of more than 35 tractor trailer rigs that criss cross the country on a daily basis, bringing the message to hundreds of thousands of drivers via the nation's interstates and roadways.

The CPF launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that featured the former governor of Utah, Olene Walker (governor from 2003-2005) who suffers from PF and made a plea for increased attention and funding for PF through support of the CPF.

The CPF continued to drive advocacy efforts to gain support of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act.  A landmark bill, H.R. 1079, which developed out of a CPF partnership with Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), represents the first legislation specifically seeking congressional funding for PF research.  Through its advocacy work representing the efforts of hundreds of PF patients and families, the CPF and it members worked to add 79 members of Congress as co-sponsors of the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives this year, bringing the total support in the House to 149 members.  Also, the CPF supported the work of Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) to introduce the bill in the U.S. Senate.  

"This year, we made progress by putting PF on the map nationally," said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the CPF.  "The message needs to reach millions more, and we will continue to drive much-needed attention to this devastating lung disease."

The CPF continued its commitment to fund research by doubling its partnership grants with the American Thoracic Society (ATS).  The CPF/ATS partnership is directed at support for cutting-edge research that a peer review board determines is the most likely to further the science around PF so that treatments for the thousands of patients suffering from PF can be found.   As many as 40,000 patients die each year to PF – the same number as are lost to breast cancer.

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis works on a national scale to support research for a cure and to assist patients. For information or to support this important work, please contact the CPF at

1-888-222-8541, or visit www.coalitionforpf.org.  

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring – known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.  Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the CPF

The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 23,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis