Handicaps and Hurdles to Reach A Goal. This month Bob focuses on the various events that take place in March as a prelude to "training" for Spring.

In Spring we train for many different things. Sports, of course, comes to mind immediately. Maybe we exercise our bodies more to get in shape for swim season. We may even beef up our workload in anticipation of free time to enjoy summer vacations.

Not everyone is lucky enough to breeze through Spring "training". Some people have to overcome tremendous hurdles to enjoy each season. For example, people with Cystic Fibrosis have to fight every day to enjoy what we take for granted -- breathing in and out without difficulty.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has been a big hurdle to overcome in my family. I have lost two cousins to this disease and currently have a 47 year old cousin fighting for her life! This year I asked our Community Involvement Committee to take on a huge challenge and they said "yes," without hesitation. They have agreed to raise $15,000 to help cure Cystic Fibrosis.

I have been involved with raising money for The Northeast Chapter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for several years. In March of 2012 I was asked to join the National Board of CF and help them raise $175,000,000 for their Milestones II campaign in hopes of curing  this disease once and for all. Yes, CURE this disease!

Right now, there is no cure for CF, an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections  and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is in the late 30s. I guess you might say my 47 year old cousin is among the lucky ones.

But through funding and research there are bright spots in the future for people with the disease. In March 2012, the FDA approved a drug named Kalydeco which is the first drug to show signs of curing one of the mutations of CF. This will cure 5 percent of the CF population. Some authorities believe that we are within 5 to 7 years away from curing all of the mutations of CF. This will be the first cure of a deadly disease since Polio! As one renowned doctor said to me, "We are on the 5 yard line heading to the goal line!"

At Shamrock, we've undertaken our goal of raising $15,000 through a series of fun fundraiser. Our first fundraiser, which ended March 1^st was a gift basket raffle that includes 2 VIP tickets to the 15th Annual CFF’s Chef's Fantasy Event (a $600 value), which will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Cleveland on March 9^th. I'm happy to announce that we're on our way to the final goal, having raised $6,800 with this first Shamrock fundraising event!

ONE FINAL THOUGHT... This amazing event truly rocks! And there's still time to buy a ticket. Call Stacey Langal at 216-475-CURE if you'd like to attend the 15^th Annual CFF's Chef's Fantasy on March 9^th. See you there!