The CFRI CF Community Voices Podcast

In this podcast, Dr. Chelsea Lau, a Fellow Physician in Hematology and Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, explores the link between cystic fibrosis (CF) and various types of cancer. Dr. Lau provides insights into how cancer develops in the general population and highlights the unique cancer risks for people with CF as well as CF carriers. She discusses the connection between CF and cancer...

In this brief video you will hear from several cystic fibrosis researchers whose work has been funded in part by the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute. Hear about the innovative research they are pursuing, including phage therapy, stem cell research and gene editing. CFRI-funded research continues to advance our mission to find new therapies - and ultimately a cure - for cystic fibrosis. Click he...

In this brief video you will hear from several cystic fibrosis researchers whose work has been funded in part by the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute. Hear about the innovative research they are pursuing, including phage therapy, stem cell research and gene editing. CFRI-funded research continues to advance our mission to find new therapies - and ultimately a cure - for cystic fibrosis. Click he...

In this podcast, Crystal Boeckel, an adult living with cystic fibrosis (CF), reflects on her experiences being pregnant and giving birth to her two sons, the first time off and the second time on a CFTR modulator therapy. Crystal shares the health challenges she faced in the latter half of both her pregnancies with cholestasis—a condition that occurs when bile flow from the liver to the small inte...

In this podcast, Crystal Boeckel, an adult living with cystic fibrosis (CF), reflects on her experiences being pregnant and giving birth to her two sons, the first time off and the second time on a CFTR modulator therapy. Crystal shares the health challenges she faced in the latter half of both her pregnancies with cholestasis—a condition that occurs when bile flow from the liver to the small inte...

Matt De Fina shares the highs and lows of his life with cystic fibrosis (CF), including two double lung transplants and a career shift to winemaking in the Napa Valley. Hear about his transplant journey, and the people, events and activities that inspired his rapid recovery. Learn about the business he and his wife Denise launched, De Fina Family Cellars, the inspiration behind the artwork and the...

Matt De Fina shares the highs and lows of his life with cystic fibrosis (CF), including two double lung transplants and a career shift to winemaking in the Napa Valley. Hear about his transplant journey, and the people, events and activities that inspired his rapid recovery. Learn about the business he and his wife Denise launched, De Fina Family Cellars, the inspiration behind the artwork and the...

In this podcast, Katie Larson Ode, MD, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, discusses cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) which is the most common non-pulmonary complication among people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Dr. Larson Ode offers a better understanding of CFRD as this form of diabetes is unique to CF and is different from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Larson Ode also shares the latest...

In this podcast, Katie Larson Ode, MD, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, discusses cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) which is the most common non-pulmonary complication among people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Dr. Larson Ode offers a better understanding of CFRD as this form of diabetes is unique to CF and is different from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Larson Ode also shares the latest...

In less than three minutes, viewers will learn about cystic fibrosis (CF), the need for continued research to find a cure, the diversity of our community, and the many programs and services CFRI offers to the CF community. Please share with your networks to expand the impact of this film. Awareness is key to connect our community members to needed resources, while inspiring others to advocate for...

In this podcast, Lauren Kormelink, PharmD, BCACP, University of Kentucky Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, discusses the very real challenges of constipation among people with cystic fibrosis (CF).Dr. Kormelink compares newer medications for treatment of constipation, reviews existing data for newer medications, and provides a first look at data (pending publication) that may expand the database and w...

In this podcast, Lauren Kormelink, PharmD, BCACP, University of Kentucky Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, discusses the very real challenges of constipation among people with cystic fibrosis (CF).Dr. Kormelink compares newer medications for treatment of constipation, reviews existing data for newer medications, and provides a first look at data (pending publication) that may expand the database and w...

In this podcast, Alexandra “Xan” C.H. Nowakowski, PhD, MPH, and Associate Professor at Florida State University College of Medicine, discusses renal challenges emerging among aging adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).Dr. Nowakowski helps identify key renal complications of CF, reviews CF and kidney health, and presents best practices for CF nephrology care, as well as areas that require improvement a...

In this podcast, Alexandra “Xan” C.H. Nowakowski, PhD, MPH, and Associate Professor at Florida State University College of Medicine, discusses renal challenges emerging among aging adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Dr. Nowakowski helps identify key renal complications of CF, reviews CF and kidney health, and presents best practices for CF nephrology care, as well as areas that require improvement...

Cystic fibrosis and men’s sexual and reproductive health has long been a neglected topic that must be addressed as part of one’s total health. In this podcast, Reuben Samuels and Georgia Brown share vital information from statistical and personal perspectives. Reuben is President of Breathe Easy International, a Certified Crisis Interventionist and CF patient and lung transplant recipient. Georgia...

Cystic fibrosis and men’s sexual and reproductive health has long been a neglected topic that must be addressed as part of one’s total health. In this podcast, Reuben Samuels and Georgia Brown share vital information from statistical and personal perspectives. Reuben is President of Breathe Easy International, a Certified Crisis Interventionist and CF patient and lung transplant recipient. Georgia...

Caleigh Haber-Takayama is living with cystic fibrosis, has undergone two double lung transplants and three open heart surgeries, and is a full-time traveler and nomad having traveled North America, Asia, and Europe. Learn imperative travel tips in how to prepare for upcoming travel, stay prepared while on your trip, and know what to do if something comes up while on your trip. Let Caleigh’s experi...

Caleigh Haber-Takayama is living with cystic fibrosis, has undergone two double lung transplants and three open heart surgeries, and is a full-time traveler and nomad having traveled North America, Asia, and Europe. Learn imperative travel tips in how to prepare for upcoming travel, stay prepared while on your trip, and know what to do if something comes up while on your trip. Let Caleigh’s experi...

This podcast was recorded at CFRI’s 2024 CF Adult Retreat. Dr. Alex Despotes, Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, and Pediatric Pulmonology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a CFRI Patrick Nash Fellow, presented an overview of heart disease and its growing prevalence among those with CF, including risk factors, symptoms, and prevention. CF Community Voices is made possible thro...

This podcast was recorded at CFRI’s 2024 CF Adult Retreat. Dr. Alex Despotes, Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, and Pediatric Pulmonology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a CFRI Patrick Nash Fellow, presented an overview of heart disease and its growing prevalence among those with CF, including risk factors, symptoms, and prevention. CF Community Voices is made possible thro...

Medical trauma is experienced by many individuals with cystic fibrosis - both children and adults. Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, social worker at the Stanford Adult CF Center, reviews the signs and symptoms of medical trauma, and discusses specific therapeutic models that have been found to be helpful for people with CF and their loved ones to effectively process and integrate these experiences. CF Commun...

Medical trauma is experienced by many individuals with cystic fibrosis - both children and adults. Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, social worker at the Stanford Adult CF Center, reviews the signs and symptoms of medical trauma, and discusses specific therapeutic models that have been found to be helpful for people with CF and their loved ones to effectively process and integrate these experiences. CF Commun...

In this panel session, three adults with CF - Rachel Alder, Jaelyn Cooper, MHA, and Abhijit Tirumala – as well as a mother of an adult son with CF, Alicia Maciel, MBA, share their personal experiences and insights navigating bias to develop productive partnerships with care teams and fellow community members so as to improve medical care and quality of life. Moderated by Kimberly Morse, MSW, LCSW,...

In this panel session, three adults with CF - Rachel Alder, Jaelyn Cooper, MHA, and Abhijit Tirumala – as well as a mother of an adult son with CF, Alicia Maciel, MBA, share their personal experiences and insights navigating bias to develop productive partnerships with care teams and fellow community members so as to improve medical care and quality of life. Moderated by Kimberly Morse, MSW, LCSW,...

Dr. Luanne McKinnon, an adult with CF who has had a rich career in the visual arts for over forty-five years, recounts in colorful detail her life with CF, from a diagnosis in 1969 through the arc of CF care that, like a travel log, leads us from Texas to Europe to New York City, Scotland and France, then New Mexico to Palo Alto. Dr. McKinnon also shares an excerpt from her memoir-in-progress enti...