This post was sponsored by Walgreens Cystic Fibrosis Services as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my post.
My Personal Connection to Cystic Fibrosis
While cystic fibrosis isn’t something I have had to deal with in my family, I lost a childhood friend to the disease shortly after college. Although she had to miss more school than most of us, while battling CF, she excelled in school and college– living a full life in the time she had here with us. I was always amazed by how well she was able to deal with the challenges of cystic fibrosis– still managing to be a straight A student and involved in many school activities despite missing quite a bit of school. She went to a top-tier college and excelled there as well. While I know how difficult it was for her to deal with CF, she always seemed to take it in stride, and I will always remember her warm smile and laugh!
I now have two friends with young children also fighting cystic fibrosis, and my hope is that with treatment they will live long and full lives!
How Cystic Fibrosis Affects the Body
Cystic fibrosis affects approximately 30,000 adults and children in the U.S.(1) Symptoms and the severity of the disease are different for each person. It affects the body’s exocrine glands, which secrete mucus. Patients have to deal with effects on their respiratory and digestive systems that can cause incomplete digestion and poor absorption of nutrients and more frequent lung infections and difficulty breathing (1). As a result, patients with CF have to deal with missing more days of work, school and social engagements.
Since patients with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk of developing infections, they are sometimes isolated from others. It’s no surprise that this can lead to depression and anxiety (2), and consequently interfere with medication adherence.(1)
Walgreens: Navigating the Journey Together
A key factor in better CF outcomes is managing the disease with a daily treatment regimen. Walgreens has created a program called CF Champions “Navigating The Journey Together” that helps patients and their caregivers with cystic fibrosis support and pharmacy services. Patients can access all of their CF medication information online, order refills and have their meds delivered to their doorstep (including refrigerated meds!).
CF Champions “Navigating the Journey Together” can also help patients and their families locate available patient assistance programs and deal with insurance plans to maximize coverage. You can also read some inspiring stories from cystic fibrosis patients and get connected with local cystic fibrosis advocates.
My hope is that current treatment and all of the new medical research being done will help my friends’ children live their lives to the max and enjoy the best quality of life they can. For more information on the CF Champions “Navigating the Journey Together” program, click HERE.