Friday, October 23, 2009

Voting Tiome!!

Voting just takes a second and if Emily wins $5,000 goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!


Take one look at this native Detroiter and it’s plain to see. Emily Schaller does not take guff. Equal parts spark and wit, Emily is claiming her victories against cystic fibrosis having launched Rock CF Foundation in summer of 2007. Today Emily’s battle against this deadly genetic disease is printed in magazines and posted on websites, her greatest victories being raising $150,000 for cystic fibrosis research and securing a sponsorship of $20,000 from New York-based Spin magazine for Rock CF Foundation’s annual benefit concert. She is a super teacher and a speaker. Emily teaches parents, patients and audiences in the CF world about the effects of cystic fibrosis and improvements being made to the treatments. She is a super athlete. Emily has ran over 300 miles and biked over 700 miles and ridden 282 miles from Detroit to Chicago to keep healthy and raise funds for Rock CF. She is a super musician. Schaller organizes and rocks out at her annual “Just Let Me Breathe” (JLMB) rock ‘n roll benefit concert. To date the JLMB concert series has raised over $60,000. It’s plain to see, Emily is positive in her crusade. “ I am inspired and motivated to keep plugging away because I know for a fact that the money we raise is indeed helping to improve the lives of cystic fibrosis patients.“

Emily's journey with CF started with her diagnosis at age 18 months when doctors told her parents their daughter may not live long enough to graduate from high school. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that causes thick mucus to build up inside the body and block vital organs like the lungs and pancreas from functioning properly. Thanks to her lifetime of treatments Emily is now a healthy and happy 27-year-old. “The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the reason I am alive today. Their constant research efforts enable me to do the things I love to do.” Nationally recognized as an advocate, Emily and Rock CF supporters and volunteers across the globe share in her passions of public speaking, performing, the arts, running and biking to fulfill her mission to “ROCK CF.”

In January of 2007 Gennentech Heroes of Hope Program named Emily a Hero Of Hope and Novartis’ patient and family outreach website, CFVoice.com spotlights video clips and a featured video about Emily and how she is thriving with cystic fibrosis. These and many other Rock CF press clips are updated at HYPERLINK "http://www.rockcf.org" www.rockcf.org.

For Emily, exercising and a positive outlook along with following her extensive daily medical routine of breathing treatments, chest physical therapy and a laundry list of medications are the keys to controlling CF. Making the journey on her terms and not the disease’s is her way of staying in ahead of the game to keep strong, healthy and in charge.

As an athlete, maintaining physical status every pedal and step increases pulmonary function and she has proved this to be true. In June of 2008 Emily completed her first half marathon running 13.1 miles. With the help of her friend/former gym teacher, she finished in two hours and four minutes! Her goal for 2009 is to break two hours. She will also run her first full marathon in ‘09.

Emily's truest reward comes from speaking to groups of all ages and sizes all over the country about CF. “We need to tell more people about CF and its’ effects because it still is the #1 genetic killer of children and young adults. Also I love to share my story to others with CF and their families to maybe give them a little hope and inspiration.” Elementary through college students, medical students, corporations with five people up to a crowd of 4,000 medical professionals, Emily has spoken to just about every demographic there is.

Twice yearly Emily is admitted to the hospital for what she calls her “tune up.” During these hospitalizations IV antibiotics are given to treat lung infections and the bugs that may be active and awaiting an attack. As with most CF patients this is old hat and Emily represents her fight working, training and counseling while on IV’s. Clearly, there is little that can slow this hero behind Rock CF Foundation down and as long as Schaller can talk we will continue to hear Emily's roar of hope and awareness about cystic fibrosis.

Let’s ROCK CYSTIC FIBROSIS so hard that one day CF will stand for Cure Found ”
-Emily Schaller

Supported charity: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation