On February 10, the Union College community lost one of its most well-respected individuals. Joan Robison McLoughlin died two weeks ago, after losing her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, at the age of forty-three. For those people not familiar with cystic fibrosis, the disease is worth discussing as it remains the number one fatal hereditary disorder for both white adults and children living in the United States.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems.
Mucus forms in the bronchial trees, which predisposes the person to chronic lung infections and makes something as simple as coughing painful. Further, the disease also leads to the problems of malabsorption and malnutrition in its victims because pancreatic enzymes involved in the breakdown and absorption of fats are absent. While cystic fibrosis is often shadowed by diseases such as cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, it is the most common cause of chronic lung disease and continues to take human lives each day. McLoughlin, better known as Joanie to friends and family, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. However, she did not let the illness deter her from doing the things she enjoyed most, such as skiing and sailing.