Jimmy Carter

“ The life expectancy of cystic fibrosis victims has increased well into the teens, twenties and beyond. Moreover, improved methods of treatment have enhanced the quality of patients' lives. Despite this progress, however, the basic cause of cystic fibrosis, as well as its cure, continues to elude investigators. ”

“ Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease afflicting American children today. An inherited disorder of unknown cause, cystic fibrosis affects approximately 20,000 to 30,000 infants, children, and young adults. While the cost of medical treatment reaches into the millions of dollars, the costs of cystic fibrosis in terms of human suffering are inestimable.
Through biomedical research, the outlook for cystic fibrosis patients has become brighter over the years. Long considered fatal in childhood, cystic fibrosis has begun to yield to the efforts of science. ”