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Dream a Little Dream Chile

Earlier this year, the pulmonary team from Children's and UAB went back to Santiago, Chileto work on Dream A Little Dream (DALD.). This project has been growing over the last few years and continues to do so as a result of the positive outcomes for the patients there.  While the team was there they were able to accomplish several things.  One big goal every time is to review patients' cases.  Most of these patients are ones that may be presenting unusual symptoms and figure out the best course of action for the patient.  They also use the knowledge that has helped the local center here in Alabama become so successful and put it to use at the center in Chile.  Since the team at Children's has grown, there experiences with CF patients has been vast and can lend experience to some teams who have had limited interaction with CF patients.  There is still much to be done, but in just the short time that DALD has been in place there have been remarkable improvements for several patients.  The project has also brought many different centers together to work towards one goal of helping patients stay healthy and live longer.  Growing interest from hospitals around Chile is also helping lend validity and support for the project.  Laps for CF is dedicated to helping improve the lives of Chilean CF patients by supporting DALD.

A note from Emily

It is insane that we have been fundraising for fourteen years now.  As the needs if the Cystic Fibrosis community has evolved, Laps for Cystic Fibrosis has been able to change alongside them.  Though our mission of helping patients and their families deal with this illness has remained the same, our vision has been allowed to shift as needs in Birmingham have evolved.  When we began fundraising, the Children’s of Alabama CF clinic was among the lowest performing in the nation.  Today, it boasts one of the highest, most consistent patient outcomes.  Similarly, the adult CF clinic in Birmingham at UAB has seen the same improvements.  The role that Laps for Cystic Fibrosis played in this was nothing compared to the work of doctors, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, physical therapists, and others but did contribute to the results we’re now seeing.

            We are excited about our next project which will work to connect Cystic Fibrosis communities throughout the Southeast in order to capitalize on what has worked so well to improve our Birmingham clinic.  We want to do a better job updating our generous supporters on what is new at Laps for Cystic Fibrosis and the exciting year ahead.

           

Emily Schreiber is the Founder and a current Board Member of Laps for Cystic Fibrosis.  She is currently a 1L at Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham AL.