Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis Announces First Ever Daughters of Pulmonary Fibrosis Leadership Conference

CULVER CITY, Calif., Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) is pleased to announce the first ever Daughters of Pulmonary Fibrosis Leadership Conference to be held at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta, Friday, October 11 to Saturday, October 12. This unique program will bring together relatives of past and present patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who have a shared goal of increasing awareness and understanding of the disease. IPF is a progressive and fatal disease that causes permanent scarring of the lungs. There are currently no FDA-approved drug treatment options and unfortunately, most patients live only 3-5 years following diagnosis.

"Our goal for the first official gathering of the Daughters is to provide, for many, a first chance to speak with others who are connected to them by a common thread and can fully empathize with the experience of dealing with IPF," said Mishka Michon, CEO of the CPF. "With a collective group of like-minded and passionate individuals, we hope to ignite each person's efforts in raising awareness among their community and create a network of Daughters across the country."

The Daughters of PF program was established by the CPF in 2011 with the goal of vastly expanding awareness of the disease by holding events and fundraisers across the nation. At the initial meeting, the CPF will encourage individuals to identify areas of focus to help reach these goals within their communities.

"As a Daughter of PF myself, I understand the importance of having support from your family and community. This disease has a significant impact on both the patients and their families," said Teresa Barnes, Vice President of Patient Outreach and Program Support at the CPF. "Our hope at the CPF is that the Daughters will share their stories, to not only help each other but to bring national and local attention to this disease."

The Daughters of PF Leadership Conference is sponsored through the generous support of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

To learn more about IPF, the Daughters of PF program and the CPF, please visit http://www.coalitionforpf.org/

About idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, severely debilitating and ultimately fatal lung disease, of unknown origin, for which there are only limited treatment options available to date. The incidence of IPF can vary considerably and there is some evidence that the patient population is increasing. IPF is characterized by progressive scarring of lung tissue and loss of lung function over time. Development of scarred tissue is called fibrosis. Over time, as the tissue thickens and stiffens with scarring, the lungs lose their ability to take in and transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, and vital organs do not get enough oxygen. As a result, individuals with IPF experience shortness of breath, cough and often have difficulty participating in everyday physical activities.

About the CPF
The CPF is a 501C(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 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 26,000 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.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim has a demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavors.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $19.1 billion (14.7 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales.

For more information please visit www.us.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Contact:
Teresa Barnes
888-222-8541, ext. 702
[email protected]

SOURCE The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis