WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis, a chronic and progressive systemic disease, is the most common fatal genetic disease in the United States, and one for which there is no known cure; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 31,000 children and adults in the United States have cystic fibrosis and more than 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, predominantly through newborn screening; and

WHEREAS, Due to progress in understanding the disease and new therapeutic advances, the average life expectancy of individuals recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis is in the mid-40s; and

WHEREAS, Despite advances in disease understanding and new therapies, the median age of death for those with cystic fibrosis is 31 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis impacts individuals of every race and ethnicity, but due to health disparities and newborn screening panels that fail to capture rare cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations, many individuals with cystic fibrosis are misdiagnosed or diagnosed late; and

WHEREAS, The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 12 million Americans are unknowing, symptomless carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene and have high odds of passing the gene to their children; and

WHEREAS, Prompt, aggressive treatment of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis can extend the lives of people who have the disease; and

WHEREAS, Recent advances in cystic fibrosis research have produced promising leads in gene, protein, and drug therapies beneficial to people who have the disease; and

WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis research continues for potential therapies, and a nationwide network of care centers exists to improve the length and quality of life for individuals with cystic fibrosis, yet lives continue to be lost to this disease; and

WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI) was formed in 1975 with a mission to be a global resource for the cystic fibrosis community while pursuing a cure through research, education, advocacy, and support; and

WHEREAS, CFRI provides funding for innovative cystic fibrosis research at medical and academic centers nationwide to expand understanding of the disease process and to seek new therapies and ultimately a cure for this challenging multisystemic disease; and

WHEREAS, CFRI seeks to improve the quality of life for all people with cystic fibrosis in California and the nation, as well as their family members, by providing psychosocial support programs; and

WHEREAS, Education of the public about cystic fibrosis, including the symptoms of the disease and its impact upon people of all races and ethnicities, increases knowledge and understanding of cystic fibrosis and promotes early diagnosis, and CFRI serves as a vital link in providing vital educational resources; and

WHEREAS, Support for those impacted by cystic fibrosis, a rare disease, begins with the raising of public awareness, and CFRI works within the diverse cystic fibrosis community on both the state and national level to advocate for continued research, access to quality care, and the development of new therapies to extend and enhance lives; now, therefore, be it