Tabitha is 15 years old and has both cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Despite her illness Tabitha is extremely positive and some great words of encouragement for others that are going through a tough time or dealing with illness. Watch more videos from Tabitha!

Living With CF

Kids who have CF have to take care of themselves, but thanks to a better understanding of what causes CF and improved treatment, they can go to school and do regular stuff, just like other kids. Meanwhile, researchers are working on even better treatments and hoping that one day there will be a cure. Learn more

Tabitha is 15 and has cystic fibrosis. In this segment Tabitha shows us how she puts together her acapella treatment at home. Watch more videos from Tabitha!

What Causes CF?

Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with CF, which affects both males and females. It’s not contagious, so you can’t catch CF from another person.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease caused by mutations (changes) in a gene on chromosome 7, one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes that children inherit from their parents. Cystic fibrosis occurs because of mutations in the gene that makes a protein called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator). A person with CF produces abnormal CFTR protein — or no CFTR protein at all, which causes the body to make thick, sticky mucus instead of the thin, watery kind. Read more

Watch as Tabitha shows us how she does her vest treatments at home for cystic fibrosis. See more videos from Tabitha.

What is Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce mucus that’s extremely thick and sticky. The mucus in people with CF is thicker than normal because CF affects cells in the epithelium (pronounced: eh-puh-thee-lee-um), the layer of cells that lines the passages in the body’s organs. In a person who does not have CF, the epithelial cells produce a thin, watery mucus that acts like a lubricant and helps protect the body’s tissues. In a person with CF, however, the thicker mucus doesn’t move as easily. This thick, sticky mucus clogs passages in many of the body’s organs and infection sets in.

Tabitha is 15 years old and has diabetes and cystic fibrosis. In this segment she discusses how she stays motivated to do her treatments and how she manages her illnesses. She has great tips for those that are struggling to comply with medications and treatment.

If You’ve Just Found Out You Have Diabetes

When people are first diagnosed with diabetes, they might be nervous about getting shots or medical tests and scared about how diabetes will affect their future health. Learn more

Tabitha has cystic fibrosis and has quite a few different medications that she has to take throughout the week. Watch as she offers tips on ways to remain diligent and organized throughout the treatment process. Watch more videos from Tabitha!

What Are Medicines?

Medicines are chemicals or compounds used to cure, halt, or prevent disease; ease symptoms; or help in the diagnosis of certain illnesses. Advances in medications have enabled doctors to cure many diseases and save lives. Learn more about medicine.

Watch as Hayley talks about dealing with cystic fibrosis and goes through her treatments.

Doctors and people with CF can do several things to slow the progression of the disease and fight its complications. To loosen mucus, people with CF exercise regularly and may use inhalers (like kids with asthma use) or nebulizers that help deliver medication to the lungs.

Coughing helps people with CF clear the mucus from their lungs. They may also take antibiotics to prevent or fight lung infections. Chest physical therapy may also be an important part of a person’s CF treatment routine. After lying down in a position that helps drain mucus from the lungs, the person has a helper, such as a parent, gently bang on his or her chest or back to loosen the mucus. And a newer device called a therapy vest that shakes the chest allows teens to be more independent by doing their therapy on their own.

Learn more

Seth Jacobs has cystic fibrosis and has created this video to explain how he deals with CF.

Right now, there is no cure for CF. Even if symptoms are mild at first, they get steadily worse over time.

But there is hope. Fifteen years ago, most children with CF would die before reaching their teens. Now, with new treatments available, more than half live into their thirties, and new research is leading to the possibility of a cure. Statistics now show that nearly 40% of the people living with CF in the United States are 18 years or older.

Learn more about living with CF.

Lanie is 12 years old and has cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce mucus that’s extremely thick and sticky. The mucus in people with CF is thicker than normal because CF affects cells in the epithelium (pronounced: eh-puh-thee-lee-um), the layer of cells that lines the passages in the body’s organs. In a person who does not have CF, the epithelial cells produce a thin, watery mucus that acts like a lubricant and helps protect the body’s tissues. In a person with CF, however, the thicker mucus doesn’t move as easily. This thick, sticky mucus clogs passages in many of the body’s organs and infection sets in.

Learn more about living with cystic fibrosis.