Reaching Out:

The primary role of the Cystic Fibrosis Friends Program is to provide companionship to patients of a serious childhood illness. Upon admittance to UNC Hospitals each patient is asked whether he or she would like to be involved in the program. He or she is then paired to a volunteer willing to spend some time with the patient during the hospital visit.  All volunteers in the program have applied through the UNC Hospitals Volunteer Services and received the proper instruction about hospital procedures.  

Each Christmas and Valentine's Day the CF Friends distribute gifts and cards to patients in the pediatric unit of UNC Hospitals.  The CF Friends also participate in outreach programs such as Cystic Fibrosis Family Day, preparing breakfast for the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill, and involvement in the Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis Walk each spring.  Also, in April 2001, the CF Friends established a collection of popular childrens' videos to benefit the pediatric inpatients of UNC Hospitals.

Fund Raising:

The CF Friends have participated in various fund raisers such as car washes, Valentine's heart sales, and doughnut sales.  Being a student organization, the program is also eligible for grants from the student government, and private donations are accepted for tax deduction.  Much of the money raised is used directly for the benefit of the pediatric inpatients of UNC Hospitals, especially those who are hospitalized with CF-related illnesses.  In March of 2002, the CF Friends are donating a portable recording studio for the new UNC Children's Hospital, a system that will allow kids to explore their creativity while producing their own personalized audio CD's.  The CF Friends also volunteer at the UNC Dance Marathon, the largest annual fund raiser at UNC.  The Dance Marathon raised over $100,000 in 2001 to benefit the UNC Children's Hospital.

Officers 2001-2002:

Will Wooten [email protected] and Leslie Collins [email protected], Co-presidents and CF Child Coordinators

Liz Ellen [email protected] and Sunni Davis [email protected], Fund-raising chairs

Nancy Lee, RN [email protected], Head CF Nurse

Jessica Shea, MSW [email protected], Pediatric Social Worker