365daystogive's Blog

For a few years now I have volunteered for the local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation where a good friend of mine works doing fundraising.  Like any other nonprofit they never turn down a volunteer as there is always something to be done around the office.  Creating packets for their annual Walks, calling stores for donations or entering data are all examples of things that can be monotonous yet time-consuming, a burden for people who already give so much of their week (and often weekends) to such a wonderful cause.

When I went in today I was quickly sent to work creating packets for Team Leaders of their annual Great Strides campaign.  As I was filling up the folders two more volunteers came in.  These girls were about 19 and I soon realized that one of them actually had CF herself.  She was so cheerful and the two of them just chatted away about different things in their life, bickering a little and then teasing one another while they adhered stickers to packets.  After a while everyone got talking about different things related to CF such as picc lines ( peripherally inserted central catheter), scars from injections and vests.

That reminded my friend of a flight that she took once where she just happened to sit next to the man who invented the vests that CF patients use daily to clear excess mucus from their lungs.  We all commented on what a coincidence that was.  Then the young girl with CF said that she had a spare vest she wanted to donate.  “When I got this vest it was when they were first coming out, so it cost around $20,000.”  My friend thanked her profusely and quickly got on the phone to another CF office to let them know about the donation.

Right after that happened they started talking about other donations when they realized that the other young volunteer worked for Kohl’s A-Team, one of the organizations that donates to the CFF, and in fact, Kohl’s is giving away even more money this year.  My friend called her co-worker into the office and they all stood around speaking loudly and excitedly about what good fortune they had happened to meet this way.

I was struck by a few things today.  First, I was so pleased to see members of the younger generation volunteering, and on a Friday to boot!  Secondly, that someone with the disease was donating their time back to the cause, time that is already too precious for them.  And lastly, how appreciative everyone in the room was for the little victories that occur in the nonprofit world, when an unexpected donor shows up with a generous donation or that a few people are willing to come out on a beautiful sunny day and sit inside stuffing envelopes.

Until my friend started working for the CFF, I knew nothing about Cystic Fibrosis.  Now, I know enough to understand what people afflicted with it suffer through daily, how so many of them are taken away too soon.  But I also know that there is a cure that is so close to surfacing, it could literally be tomorrow that someone finds it.   Their slogan, “Providing Tomorrows Every Day” is so true, you can feel it and hope for it every time you meet someone new with CF, and say goodbye to someone who battled bravely against it.  I hope for the day when my  time is no longer needed volunteering for them.  To learn more, visit their website today: http://www.cff.org .