Mother & Daughter To Hold Walk At Rose Bowl For Disease That Claimed Their Husband, Father As He Awaited Lung Transplant

Pair plans walk in stadium that holds half as many people as have died from Pulmonary Fibrosis since his death

PASADENA, Calif., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If a pair of donor lungs had been found in time, Francis G. Chelin might be walking with his wife and daughter.  It wasn't.  Sadly, in May 2007 the Chatsworth man died after three weeks in an intensive care unit at UCLA Medical Center waiting for a double lung transplant.  On May 12, 2012, his widow and daughter will hold a walk at the Rose Bowl to help raise awareness and funds for the incurable lung disease, called Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF), that claimed his life at the age of 54. The walk will benefit the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) www.coalitionforpf.org, a non-profit organization based in Culver City.

"I watched my father fight every step of the way as his lungs slowly failed him, robbing him of the basic ability to breathe," said Sarah Jane Chelin. "He had to give up every bit of his independence and dignity as the disease progressed."

Chantal Chelin and her daughter, Sarah Jane Chelin decided that holding a walk for the disease at such an impressive location might help generate awareness all by itself.  Since 128,000 people suffer from PF at any time and the Rose Bowl has roughly 100,000 seats, they felt it would be impactful for people to know that more people suffer from PF than the Rose Bowl can hold.  Also, they say, if you took a photo in the stands of a sold-out Rose Bowl and deleted the photos of half the people in the picture, that would be how many die from PF each year (actual number is about 40,000, the same as breast cancer). 

"This nonprofit charitable organization serves as a national voice for the tens of thousands of Pulmonary Fibrosis patients who suffer from this terminal disease," said Chantal Chelin.  "We are currently recruiting sponsors for this event and hope interested companies or families will sign on now."

"We're honored the Chelin family has decided to raise awareness and funding for the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis while paying tribute to such a wonderful man," said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the CPF.  "The Rose Bowl is a fitting tribute to not only Mr. Chelin, but to the 200,000 people who have lost their lives, as well, from the disease since it claimed his life in 2007, double the number of people who could fit in the Rose Bowl stadium."

What:  1st Annual PF Walk at the Rose Bowl

Where:  At the Rose Bowl

When:  Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 9 a.m.

Registration Fees: Adult: $20; Children under 12: $0 (Please register as an adult to receive a t-shirt)

To register online or make a donation without attending the walk, Click Here:  http://www.coalitionforpf.org/cpf_events_detailes.php?id=537 or call 1-888-222-8541. 

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