Jerry Cahill interviews Cris Dopher

"I live to Run and Run to Live" States Cris Dopher, 34 Years Old, Who is Taking Cystic Fibrosis by the Throat and Taking Control of His Life.

• Diagnosed at 4 years old due to “failure to thrive?
• Cris grew up in Southern California and Missouri prior to moving to NYC
• “My parents did not panic when they heard the news about my diagnosis with CF?
• Cris has 2 sisters and I brother
• Attended Missouri State University as an undergraduate and New York University for graduate work in Fine Arts.
• Mount Sinai in New York is Cris’ CF Center
• Biggest challenge: “Time spent on treatments?
• “Although having CF is a major wake-up call… I try to see things in a more positive way and that opens up new doors and possibilities…?
• Cris believes the most important factors that keep him healthy are: “Family support, great doctors, and his motivation to research?
• Cris completed the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio in a time of 5 hours 25 minutes.
• Cris plans on running the New York City Marathon in 2006 and his goal is sub 5 hours
• “You are not alone with CF and therefore I like to contribute to the CF community.

Maggie Talboy interviews Jerry Cahill - "Better Living Through Chemistry"

• “My life is not about the cystic fibrosis… it’s about living and enjoying everyday!?
• Jerry was diagnosed at age 11 after several hospitalizations for pneumonia.
• Jerry comes from a very athletic family that includes 4 brothers and 1 sister.
• Jerry attended Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY and then went on to the University of Connecticut where he competed in varsity track &  field specializing in the pole vault.
• CF is a challenge and a competition… I will beat it as best I can because life is NOT a controlled experience?
• Jerry states: “I do not have time to sit around with IMPENDING DOOM – go out and experience life and manage your disease?
• Jerry “exercises for life? and believes that “exercise can slow down the progression of the disease?
• Jerry believes in being pro-active with his health and is very involved in NUTRITION including: I.V. vitamin drips, “lot’s of vitamins and juicing? and of course “exercise?
• Listed for a double lung transplant at NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN and also seen at UNIVERSITY of NORTH CAROLINA at CHAPEL HILL – Jerry is very happy with his TEAM of doctors.
• Maggie asked Jerry what keeps him going...? “A passion for life and being involved with people, watching people grow and most important giving of yourself – not materialistic things.
• Jerry states: “I have my FULL METAL JACKET on and am ready for the transplant…!

  
   

Jerry Cahill interviews Dr. Jamie Wells

• Dr. Wells grew up in Philadelphia before attending YALE UNIVERSITY majoring in American Studies.
• Dr. Wells attending JEFFERSON MEDICAL SCHOOL in Philadelphia where she started out specializing in brain surgery prior to focusing on
  pediatrics.
• “Medical school = one paragraph on cystic fibrosis… all training comes from hands on at a CF Center? states Dr. Wells
• As an infant with CF: “Burden on parents to understand and deal with everything all at once?
• Dr. Wells states: “The teenage years are the most challenging as the typical teenager is not compliant?
• “Doctors and CF patients must have a PARTNERSHIP?
• Dr. Jamie Wells states: Due to the prognosis of the disease, “cystic fibrosis patients are dynamic and grow up very very quickly…?
• Dr. Wells strongly believes: “People with CF need someone to look up to and see that there are people living at age 49…?
• Regarding Stem Cell Research: “I am an advocate of anything that is going to advance science?
• Dr, Wells Rx for people with CF: “Be consistent with med.’s and therapy, even when you are feeling well, and maintain an optimal nutritional state so you can fight infection?
• “I am honored and privileged to know patients and their families with this disease… people with CF really get what is about to be alive!?

The Boomer Esiason Foundation and the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care award $1500 in memory of Heidi Norris RRT.

Heidi Norris was a Registered Respiratory Therapist who passed away in 2004 after a long hard battle with cystic fibrosis that included a double lung transplant in 1999.

Michael will be attending Youngstown State University in Ohio and majoring in tge field of Respiratory Care "Sharing the Breath of Life with Others"