The Ocean Becomes a Pipeline To A Cure for Cysti...( - Surfing Becomes First Sport To ...),Health

- Surfing Becomes First Sport To Mitigate the Impact of a Disease

- Surfing Legends Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama Co-Host Inaugural Gala to Raise Research Funds

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amazingly, surfers have unknowingly held a key to prolonging the lifespan and quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis (CF), a fatal genetic disease that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus, which clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.

Several years ago, doctors in Australia noticed young surfers with cystic fibrosis had significantly healthier lungs. The doctors determined that inhaling saltwater mist has a powerful effect on rehydrating the lining of the lungs and allowing CF patients to more easily eliminate bacteria-contaminated mucus. This discovery led researchers to develop a hypertonic saline solution, which CF patients around the world now inhale every day. In essence, CF patients now mimic a "surf session" on a daily basis.

More than 70,000 CF patients face a daily battle, enduring hours of daily therapies and treatments to avoid the threat of mucus build-up in the lungs. While average life expectancy has doubled in the past 25 years to age 37 -- due to advances in treatment and care -- funding is still urgently needed to find the miracle drug leading to a cure.

The recent "saltwater" breakthrough treatment has led the Southern California Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to form a "PIPELINE TO A CURE" campaign to raise funds and to bring about global awareness of the unique bond between the sport of surfing and those with cystic fibrosis.

On July 19, 2008, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation together with honorary co-chairs and surf legends Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama will host an inaugural gala at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, California, also known as "Surf City."

Title sponsor PacSun and supporting sponsors the Kelly Slater Fo
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