Health Through Fitness in Orphan Diseases

CURRENTLY, THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF HTFOD IS THE ORPHAN DISEASE CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF) WHICH IS A LETHAL GENETIC DISEASE THAT CAUSES EXCESS MUCUS ACCUMULATION IN THE LUNGS CAUSING CHRONIC INFECTIONS AND IN THE PANCREAS CAUSING MALABSORPTION. THERE IS NO CURE FOR CF ALTHOUGH GOOD CLINICAL CARE CAN EXTEND LIFE INTO THE 30S AND 40S. THE GOAL OF HTFOD IS TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL FITNESS THROUGH CYCLING IN THOSE LIVING WITH CF, WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWN TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH. THE PRIMARY STRATEGY USED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH A VERY LARGE NETWORK OF CYCLISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF HTFOD FOR THE DISEASE CF. THIS NETWORK OF CYCLISTS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE PROGRAM OF TEAM CF.