Real Estate Couple Touched by CF Honored for Support of Foundation’s Work

The real estate investment and management firm MC Companies, whose owners are grandparents of children with cystic fibrosis, was recognized for its support of disease research by The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Tucson Chapter at its fourth annual Round-Up for a Cure event.

Round-Up for a Cure is a yearly fundraising event, put together by the chapter, that brings together the CF community in Tucson.

The 2019 event was held on Sept 21 and had as its theme a turn-of-the-century carnival and circus gala that included various entertainment, including circus acts, playing carny games, and much more.

“It was delightful to see all the activities geared around those who are usually isolated and encouraged to stay 6 feet away from others who have CF,” Patty McCallister, a company owner with her husband, Ross McCallister, said in a press release.

“These folks have no choice but to get up every day and fight against this insidious disease. There are hours of treatments and multitudes of medicines involved before they even start their ‘normal’ day. This 2019 Gala celebrated a tiny bit of freedom for them and gave all who attended some joy, fun and smiles,” she added.

The McCallisters served as honorary chairs at Round-Up for a Cure, and worked to raise $100,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) in 2019 through different fundraising initiatives.

“While it was touching that Ross and I were named honorary chairs for the 2019 Round Up for a Cure, the true heroes and the true honorees are the families and the individuals who deal with cystic fibrosis on a daily basis,” Patty McCallister said.

Their efforts on behalf of the CFF and its work began in 2007, when their granddaughter Jolene was diagnosed with CF.

“We drove straight from the hospital to the CF office and asked, ‘What can we do?’ Since that day we have committed our time and our money,” the McCallisters said.

“When Cecilia, our now 7-year-old granddaughter was born with CF, we doubled down and knew we would not quit until everyone with this disease can at least have a longer, better quality of life,” they added.

The CFF supports research into treatments and better disease understanding, with a goal of helping CF patients live longer and healthier lives.

The McCallisters thanked those who who contribute to the foundation. “You and your efforts give our family permission to hope,” they said.