On May 16, 2026, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the New Jersey chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s charity walk here in my hometown of Point Pleasant. Throughout the event, I had the pleasure of speaking with several amazing people and was enlightened to hear each of their stories. Not only were their stories impactful, but they also inspired me to continue my volunteer work throughout my community and in other causes I believe in.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website, “Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. It is progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time… In people with CF, mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause the CFTR protein to not function properly. When the protein is not working correctly, it’s unable to help move chloride — a part of salt — to the cell surface. Without the chloride to attract water to the cell surface, the mucus in various organs becomes thick and sticky” (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation).

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was founded in 1955, with the mission of providing people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, advancing high-quality, specialized care, and ultimately finding a cure. When the foundation was established, people who were diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis weren’t expected to live through elementary school. Faced with what seemed like an insurmountable task, a group of parents came together to create what is now known as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, also known as the CF Foundation.

In 1966, the organization launched a patient data registry, which helped to collect health information of patients seen at foundation-accredited care centers. This registry has evolved into a model for patient registries today, and is among the countless great resources the foundation has at its disposal.

When the FDA came out with the first approved drug to combat Cystic Fibrosis in 1993, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation provided early-stage funding that helped bring the drug to market. In 2000, the foundation invested $40 million – the first large investment in a company – in Aurora Biosciences, later Vertex Pharmaceuticals, to fund development of what would become the first therapies to treat the underlying cause of CF. In 2006, supported by the Foundation, one of the first oral drugs to work at the cellular level and attack the root cause of CF entered clinical trials. It would later be known as Ivacaftor.

Fast forward to today, and there are chapters all across the country that share the primary goal of putting an end to Cystic Fibrosis. The New Jersey chapter, in particular, hosts frequent events across the state similar to the charity walk I attended in May. Some upcoming events include the New Jersey Chapter Xtreme Hike on August 29th, the New Jersey CF Cycle for Life on October 3rd, and the Harvest of Hope on October 15th. 

I had the privilege of speaking with Marselis Middleton, one of the chapter’s development directors. When asked about how he hopes to impact those around him in both the present and future, Marselis responded by saying, “First is that you approach every interaction with kindness. These families that we work with, they’ve been through so much, and they go through so much on a daily basis… You just approach them with a smile, [say] hey, how are you doing?… I think that’s how I approach everything.” He also went on to mention that “Kindness is free, and kindness is everything,” which is something that really resonated with me. 

We then went on to talk about what drove him to get involved in such a powerful movement to address such a serious issue. He told me that he comes from a family rooted in non-profit work, specifically noting their involvement in the William J. Dowdy Foundation, “where [they] give scholarships to incoming college freshmen, and [they] have been doing this for over 20 years.” Marselis then went on to mention that he “worked at another non-profit, the United Way of Greater Newark, for three and a half years… so I wanted to come to another non-profit where I could be boots on the ground, connecting with families, and really see the impact of the donations and support I’m helping get into the foundation.” 

I finished my conversation with Marselis by asking him what his message is to those looking to get involved, like myself, in various ways. His response: “Call your local chapter… we have chapters all over the country that can connect you from New Jersey, to Maine, to California… There are plenty of avenues for young professionals, older folks… There are so many ways you can make an impact and really find the right group of people to help you make this impact.” He finished by encouraging everyone to reach out to their local chapter to see what type of impact they can make. 

I truly appreciate Marselis and the New Jersey Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for allowing me to be a part of such an important fight to cure Cystic Fibrosis. To my readers, I encourage you to be the change you wish to see in the world. All it takes is one small act to make a difference.

To donate or discover volunteer opportunities near you, visit cff.org and click the local chapter button in the top right corner. 

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Advisor Note- Logan asked me (the night of his Senior Prom!!!) to read the newest story that he wrote. Shocked that he was still writing throughout the thick of the excitement that comes with June of Senior year, I was obviously eager to read, no matter what the story’s topic was. But I was so surprised he chose to write about Cystic Fibrosis, which, unknown to Logan, is a topic personal to my family and me.

I thank Logan for not only bringing attention to the foundation’s work, but for his own volunteer work, his positivity, his kind heart, and his beautiful storytelling. He has left his mark on the Point Press, and I am excited to see all that Logan does with his prospective career as a journalist, as I know he has a bright future ahead. Your words will always have a home here.

– Miss Padula