3rd Annual CF FamilyCon, Free and Online, Starts Thursday

The third annual CF FamilyCon, a free and online event that connects people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their extended families and friends with one another — and to others — takes place this weekend.

This two-day event, supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is set for Thursday, June 18, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT, and on Saturday, June 20, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. EDT.

Registration — closing on Wednesday, June 17, at 12 p.m. EDT — can be done using this link. Authorization from a parent or guardian is required for those under 18.

CF FamilyCon is open to people with CF and their families, however defined. A family can refer to biological relatives, or to friends, or to anyone that shares love.

“No matter what your family looks like or who you consider to be family, you can find support and connection at CF FamilyCon 2020,” the event’s website states.

CF Family Con aims to give a space to people living with CF and their families to connect with each other, share stories, offer support, and learn more about CF.

Thursday’s event will feature a keynote address focusing on the ways in which CF can affect mental health, both for patients and their caregivers. Speakers will discuss challenges and coping strategies to improve mental and emotional wellness.

The address will be followed by small group discussions, then a live-chat hour filled with funny personal stories, and conclude with a happy hour for chatting.

On Saturday, CF FamilyCon will begin with a keynote address about resilience — what it means to get knocked down and then back up again, and how going through the process can shape a person’s life.

It will be followed by a variety of offerings, with participants able to engage based on their interests. There will be panel discussions about managing effective communication with a care team, learning about rights in the workplace, and what it is like to get a transplant.

Topics of small group discussions include being a romantic partner for someone with CF, being the sibling of a patient, and finding independence as a person living with CF. Activities offered range from yoga, family dancing, to a cooking class.

Closing remarks will be made after the activities, and a happy hour will again finish the day.

Additional information and registration can be found here.