The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has announced the recipients of its third annual Impact Grants. The Impact Grants program provides grants of up to $10,000 per year to individuals or organizations for programs that benefit and empower the cystic fibrosis community.
The 2018 grantees are bettering the lives of people in the CF community through a range of programs from exercise to life coaching and professional development. In addition to the eight new grants in 2018, three 2017 Impact Grant recipients had their projects renewed for one year.
Recipients were chosen by the CF Adult Advisory Council (AAC), an external panel composed of adults with cystic fibrosis, in partnership with the CF Foundation.
2018 Impact Grant Recipients
3rd Street Society: Cystic Fibrosis Surf Clinics
The 3rd Street Society's Cystic Fibrosis Surf Clinics, based in Folly Beach, S.C., contribute to the health and happiness of people with CF by providing a half day of one-on-one surfing instruction for people with CF and two of their family members or friends in a safe and fun environment.
Alchemy of Life: Transformational Life Coaching
Alchemy of Life: Transformational Life Coaching provides one-on-one sessions for people with CF who are looking to confront challenging life circumstances and establish goals for growth and wellness. The program is guided by the idea that emotional and spiritual wellness is just as important as physical wellness for those with CF.
Breathe for Britt Run Club
Breathe for Britt Run Club is an online community for people with CF and family members that promotes the benefits of running and walking, and provides access to resources to track and achieve measurable fitness goals, such as completing a 5K. The program will launch in 2019 and will include a personalized 12-week training program, access to a running coach, and fitness tracker technology.
CF Yogi
CF Yogi is a virtual yoga studio with weekly livestreamed yoga classes led by instructors who have firsthand knowledge of yoga and CF and its value as a self-empowering tool for those living with the disease. Classes are open to adults and kids with CF, parents and caregivers, spouses, families, and friends.
Coach-Ed: Exercise and Wellness Sponsorships
Coach-Ed's Exercise and Wellness Sponsorships support and empower people with CF to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives to manage the physical and emotional aspects of CF, as well as everyday stresses. The program provides financial sponsorships for people with CF to participate in fitness-related activities and guidance to find the right sport for each individual.
Cystic Fibrosis Reproductive & Sexual Health Collaborative
The Cystic Fibrosis Reproductive & Sexual Health Collaborative (CFReSHC) invites women with CF to partner with health care providers and researchers to help shape the future of CF research on sexual and reproductive health issues. CFReSHC holds monthly virtual meetings for women with CF to share their experiences, help identify knowledge gaps, and formulate key research questions to inform patient-centered research projects.
Cystic Fibrosis Fitness Institute: Improving Quality of Life for People With CF Through Exercise
The Cystic Fibrosis Fitness Institute's 9-month online exercise program improves the quality of life of people with CF through strength, endurance, and breathing-based workout options, including exercise videos, monthly workouts, and live Q&A sessions.
Kronic Young Professional Network: CF Young Professional Pilot Program
Kronic Young Professional (KYP) Network's CF Young Professional Pilot Program helps young adults with CF gain the knowledge and tools they need to successfully establish professional careers and navigate the unique challenges they face. The program provides an online hub for educational resources about workplace accommodations, techniques for self-advocacy, and an interactive support forum for those entering the workforce.
The 2019 Impact Grants submission period will open in January. For more information about the Impact Grants program, visit cff.org/ImpactGrants.