Marist senior works to create CF Day – Dunwoody Crier

Dunwoody resident and Marist senior Kehl Mackesey, 18, worked closely with state Sen. Fran Millar and his legislative staff and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to have May 1 declared CF Education and Awareness Day.

Kehl, her family and friends, Rev. Bill Rowland and Marist counselor Carrie Gosz were on the State Senate floor when the resolution was read on March 13. The resolution will spread awareness and educate others about the disease.

Georgia is home to more than 800 people living with cystic fibrosis (CF), including 18-year-old Kehl. She contacted the State Senate and the CF Foundations Georgia Chapter earlier this year with her vision of having a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the disease. The Georgia Chapter has events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness, connect families fighting CF and bring a voice to the disease.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF. People living with CF have a defective gene that causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas, making it difficult for the body to break down food and absorb nutrients.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to raise funds to continue its mission to cure cystic fibrosis (CF) and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care.

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Marist senior works to create CF Day - Dunwoody Crier