Carolina Panthers DE Wes Horton and One Hour Air Conditioning Charlotte at WBTV3

How to Do Your Part to Increase Cystic Fibrosis Awareness

At this time of year, we work especially hard to increase awareness about CF. If you’re wondering what you can do to help, these tips for raising awareness will get you started. Each option requires a different time commitment and level of participation, so you can pick the right one for you.

Related Article: 10 Tips for Indoor Air Quality for Cystic Fibrosis

Did you know May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month?

1. Send a letter or email to your state law maker

Your state representatives budget money for medical causes like cystic fibrosis studies and treatments. You can do your part by writing to state lawmakers and stating the case for cystic fibrosis.

You may choose to write a personalized letter to your representatives, or if you don’t have time to write your own letter, you can send an automatic message from the cystic fibrosis foundation website.

2. Participate in fundraising events

Fund raising events happen year round and are organized on local and national levels. By participating in these fundraising events, you personally contribute to a worthy cause which affects families across the country and throughout the world.

Fund raising events may take many forms, but perhaps the most well-known events happen through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The list of their signature events may be found on their website.

3. Meet with local and state lawmakers to tell your story

If you or a member of your family is affected by cystic fibrosis, this type of meeting can alert state representatives to the cystic fibrosis cause.

When you meet with local and state law makers, tell your story in vivid detail, in plain language (avoiding statistics and medical terms) and use personalized anecdotes to keep your representative’s interest. With persistence, you can affect real change.

4. Organize your own fundraising event

Fundraising doesn’t have to start with a major nonprofit organization: you can raise money for cystic fibrosis in your own hometown. For best results, pick a venue with an active and structured community, like a church, college or workplace. Then, pick an activity which will generate interest and bring more people to the fund raising event.

For small scale fundraising events bake sales, car washes and rummage sales are common ways to raise money. Fund raising is a big time commitment which requires advertising, organization, a sizable venue and willing volunteers. This is only something you should undertake if you have the time, energy and resources to carry it out effectively.