Many disciplines, one vision: a world free from the complications of CF.
Medicine has come far in the treatment of CF. In fact, in 2012, the CF Center reported that the average life expectancy of CF patients is now 41.1 years of age, a long way from the early years when most parents were told their child wouldn't even live long enough to make it to kindergarten. But we still have a long way to go.
Because CF most typically affects the lungs and airways, all our CF doctors specialize in pulmonology, and our CF team has done extensive practice and research in this particular illness. Since CF often involves many other areas of the body, the unique collaboration among our team extends across the many disciplines related to CF, such as gastroenterology, infectious disease, endocrinology, nephrology and other medical and support services our patients may need. Working all together we are confident we will accomplish the goal.
To ensure success, we have reached well beyond the boundaries of our walls to collaborate with great institutions within our region, as well nationally ... and in some cases, internationally. We are continually expanding our research opportunities, bringing the best therapies home to our patients.
Making CF stand for Cure Found. As an accredited CF Center, Cook Children's is involved in research and clinic trials to discover new medicines and treatments and eventually, to find a cure. Learn more about our research and clinic trials here.
We're all in this together
But collaboration doesn't stop here. It also means partnering with the most important group of all, the patients and families at Cook Children's. After all, that's why we're here ... to unite in the fight against CF, to treat and someday cure as many kids as possible. And to bring hope and caring to of even the most difficult journeys.
That means bringing as much childhood as possible into each day, which we do through our Child Life services, Child Life Zone, onsite library, arts therapies and more. Our social services team is available around the clock to help families deal with the day-to-day and long-term challenges they face. And we even have special programs just for siblings.
Working closely with patients and families to educate them on medications, breathing treatments, diet, exercise and the many lifestyle changes they will encounter helps ensure that our highly trained specialists meet the holistic needs of those we care for during and long after their hospital stays.
Finally, we join with the community to make a difference through large and small efforts. From Ronald McDonald House to community events to the generosity of philanthropy, we are all contributing to better outcomes today ... and to a future where we can all breathe easier. Together we are making a difference.