Breath of Life Award - Dr. Jeffrey Trent

Dr. Jeffrey Trent, President and Research Director of TGen, was recognized Oct. 25 as the 2009 distinguished honoree for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at their 2nd annual Breath of Life Gala.

The Breath of Life Award honors those in the local community who have made outstanding contributions to fighting and finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Country music star Dierks Bentley also attended, and was awarded the first annual Jordan Sterling award.

Since its creation in 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has worked to find a cure and help patients diagnosed with the disease. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. Patients suffer from frequent lung infections, chronic coughing, poor growth and shortness of breath, among other symptoms.

Nearly 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year, with more than 70 percent of patients diagnosed by age 2. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many of those with the disease can now expect to live into their 40s and beyond, according to the foundation.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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