See the announcement: http://www.cff.org/aboutCFFoundation/NewsEvents/2012NewsArchive/1-31-FDA-Approves-Kalydeco.cfm
A key point to remember with Cystic Fibrosis is that not all cases are the same and more than 1,000 mutations cause the disease to occur. I'm sure you're thinking, "that's a lot of mutations", however those 1,000 mutations in the CF gene fall into six different categories or classes. Understanding each of the six classes will hopefully allow researchers to develop treatments for each specific class. Treatments that work for an individual will depend on his/her mutation. This is exactly what the advancement with Kalydeco is doing - it targets the underlying cause of CF for the G551D mutation and restores health. To get a full understanding of the CF mutation categories and classes, follow the link I have provided from the CF website: Targeting Mutations that cause Cystic Fibrosis
It's amazing how much has changed in the CF world just since Kaelyn's diagnosis three and a half years ago! To think back to my very first readings and research on CF when we got the phone call that she would need to be tested... reading "average life expectancy is 37 years" - the heartbreak we felt... to the feeling we felt yesterday reading the news of Kalydeco and the FDA's approval. WHAT A FEELING! A feeling of success and celebration in the CF community, and also a feeling of HOPE for the future... which one day I'd love to describe the feeling when I read, "We've found a CURE for Cystic Fibrosis!". And we're getting close....
Thank you to all of you who have donated to, organized, or attended an event for the CF Foundation! Your generosity and efforts prove that we can find a cure for CF! A cure has never been closer, so please don't stop - continue to help and show your support... you're helping to save many precious lives!
