CFF Impact Grants Go to 4 Online Programs Engaging Patients, Community

This year’s Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Impact Grants, which provide up to $10,000 in funding, will support and empower the cystic fibrosis (CF) community through four new virtual programs focused on engaging and connecting patients.

Now in its fifth year, the program helps individuals and organizations whose projects support CF patients and their families. This year winners offer online dance classes, online job training workshops, a storytelling podcast, and an expanded program for the African-American CF community, the foundation announced.

According to the CF Foundation Patient Registry, about 5% of CF patients identify as Black. These individuals are more likely to have rare mutations that cannot be treated with current CF modulators, underscoring the need for additional support to improve their clinical outcomes and life quality.composed

Impact Grants’s recipients are selected with the help of the external CF Adult Advisory Council, composed of adult CF patients.

Recipients for this year award are:

• The storytelling podcast “But, You Look Healthy.” Through interviews with CF community members, it offers myriad perspectives on the disease, with a goal of spreading awareness, amplifying members’ voices, and connecting the community.
• A free live-streamed dance class called “Dancing Together With CF” for patients and their friends and family. Featuring movements designed specifically for people with CF, the class simulates a traditional dance studio experience by providing video group dance classes in multiple genres. After each class is over, there’s time for social connectivity.
• An expansion by the National Organization of African Americans With Cystic Fibrosis, which works to connect and engage Black members of the CF community through efforts such as online workshops and an enhanced virtual support network.
• Work Proudly, a program piloted by the Claire’s Place Foundation, providing adults with CF and their caregivers with job training and the skills necessary to gain work-from-home employment.

• “Fall Risk: The CF Musical Comedy” bringing patients together virtually in musical theater through singing, playing instruments, writing music, or speaking roles.
• Health Advocacy Summit, an all-day conference that offers the option to attend and interact online. The conference provides young adults with chronic and rare diseases such as CF with the support, knowledge, and skills to advocate for themselves and their communities.
• sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir, an expansion of the Breathe Bravely program, in which CF patients receive music and voice assignments, connect through digital group video rehearsals, and record their individual portions together to produce a single choral work.

The CFF also offers Community Support Grants, helping previous Impact Grant recipients with ongoing community engagement and empowerment work.

Applications for 2021 Impact Grants will become available in January. Go here to learn more about the CFF Impact and Community Grant programs.