Date: 2006-03-03
To: Great Strides 2006
Miles today: 0.0

This photograph is of Levi and Shad Murphy. Rodger and Gwen Murphy are friends of mine and fellow teachers at Dallastown High School. Rodger was my first wrestling coach in sixth grade, my football coach in High School, my 10th grade Social Studies teacher and one of the biggest influences that lead me to the teaching profession. In January of 2004 their youngest son, Shad was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Shad is six years of age.        CF is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and young adults. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food. Every day approximately three children are born in the United States with CF. Every twenty four hours one person in the United States will die from CF. The average life expectancy for a child born with CF is 30 years of age.         Since his diagnosis in 2004, Shad has been treated for the symptoms that accompany the disease. There is no cure. Each day Shad undergoes three respritory treatments which include breathing a variety of medications while wearing a vest that shakes his upper torso in an attempt to loosen the mucus that adheres to his lungs. Each of these treatments lasts for approximately 40 minutes. In addition any time he consumes fats or proteins, Shad consumes enzymes to replace those that his pancreas does not produce. Shad is a very active little boy who enjoys all sports and is currently enrolled in Kindergarten and loving every minute of it.Following Shad¢s diagnosis, Rodger and Gwen became very active in the area of raising funds that support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This organization is the primary force behind the search for a cure for CF. In May of 2004, Rodger, Gwen along with family and friends formed ¢Team Shad¢. In a variety of fundraising efforts including walks, bake sales, golf tournaments, Team Shad has raised nearly $80,000.00 for CF research. The primary fundraising effort for the CF Foundation has been an annual walk called ¢Great Strides¢. This walk occurs during the month of May at sites all over the United States. Team Shad¢s walkers have consisted of family, friends, co-workers and hundreds of students from the Dallastown School District who have been extremely supportive of this effort. I have recently joined Team Shad. If you would be interested in supporting me as I hike to support Team Shad and the search for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis it would be greatly appreciated. To contribute, click on the link below. This link takes you to my Great Strides fundraising page. Once there simply click on the link at the top of that page labeled ¢Click To Donate.¢ Even though the fundraising walks occur during the month of May, the page will be accepting contributions through the duration of my hike.In closing I would like to say thanks for your consideration with respect to this effort. Together we can make CF stand for CURE FOUND!For the link to my fundraising page click here.         Support Team Shad