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What Is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. It is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene and, while treatments have come a long way, there is still no cure.
Approximately 1 in 25 Canadians is a carrier of the gene that causes CF. Carriers usually have no symptoms. When two carriers have a child, there is a 25% chance that their child will be born with CF.
CF causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, this can lead to chronic infections, inflammation, breathing difficulties, and progressive lung damage. In the digestive system, CF can make it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients, leading to complications such as intestinal blockages, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies.
Hope's Story
Hope’s CF journey began before she was even born.
At just 32 weeks, Hope stopped moving in the womb and was delivered prematurely. She was diagnosed with meconium ileus, a serious intestinal blockage caused by the thick mucus associated with CF. Her bowel began to twist, requiring emergency surgery and the removal of a large portion of her intestine.
Hope spent 14 weeks in the McMaster NICU, undergoing multiple procedures, transfusions, and eventually bowel reattachment surgery. When she was finally discharged, her lifelong journey with CF began.
Today, CF is a part of Hope’s everyday life. She visits her CF clinic every three months and regularly sees her doctor, physiotherapist, dietitian, and child life therapist. She has bloodwork every six months to monitor her health, takes approximately 40 pills a day, and completes at least two breathing treatments every day to help keep her lungs clear.
Yet despite all of this, Hope doesn't let CF define her. She is active, determined, and full of life.
There Is Hope
One of the biggest reasons we are hopeful for Hope's future is Trikafta, a groundbreaking treatment that targets the underlying cause of CF.
Hope is fortunate to have access to this medication. Since starting Trikafta, she has had zero hospitalizations, and her lung function is currently above 115% of the average for a 12-year-old girl.
But this treatment isn't available to everyone with CF, and it comes at a cost of more than $230,000 per year. Access to life-changing medications like Trikafta is one of the many reasons advocacy and fundraising remain so important.
Why We Fundraise for Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Our fundraiser is about Hope, but it is also about every person and family living with CF across Canada.
Funds raised for Cystic Fibrosis Canada help support:
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Research into new treatments, genetic therapies, and ultimately a cure.
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Advocacy for access to life-changing medications and healthcare.
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Support and resources for people with CF and their families.
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Awareness and education to help Canadians better understand this devastating disease.
How to Donate
The progress we've seen in CF treatment is incredible. Children like Hope have opportunities today that simply weren't possible for previous generations. But there is still so much work to do.
We are fundraising because we want Hope—and every person living with CF—to have the opportunity to grow up, thrive, and live a long and healthy life.
Every donation, every share, and every bit of support helps bring us closer to a future where CF stands for “Cure Found.”
Thank you for supporting Hope and Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and for helping us turn hope into a future without CF.
Donated Prizes
Now here's the twist... Unlike most fundraisers, we decided to partner with a bunch of amazing local businesses and colleagues, who donated prizes, meaning the more you donate, the more you have the chance of winning!!
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Here's how it works for every donation (IF YOU INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL):
For every $10 = 1 Ticket (no tax receipts under $20)
But for...
$100 = 15 Tickets
$250 = 40 Tickets
$500 = 100 Tickets
And the prizes you ask...
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Signed Alex Rodriguez New York Jersey. Donated by SB Real Estate
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2 x Heinz Club 100 Level Tickets to a 2027 Regular Season Blue Jays game. Donated by Lancaster Construction
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4 tickets to see The Strumbellas any upcoming show in Southern Ontario (outside of Toronto) and a merch pack for the guests. Donated by The Strumbellas
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2 x Platinum Club 100 Level Tickets to a 2026/27 Regular Season Raptors game. Donated by Royal LePage Brant Realty
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2 Signed Strumbellas albums; Hope & Burning Bridges Into Dust. Donated by The Strumbellas
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Absolute Health and Wellness supplement basket w/ 1 hour massage with Chelsea. Donated by Absolute Health and Wellness & Chelsea Romany
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Brantford Hyundai Car Care Package (oil, lube & filter changes) worth up to $400. Donated by Shoots Brantford Hyundai
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$100 Two Doors Down Gift Card. Donated by Two Doors Down
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$100 Knightfall Tattoo Gift Card. Donated by Knightfall Tattoo
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2 x $50 Born & Raised Gift Cards. Donated by Born & Raised
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Dawson’s Hot Sauce gift basket. Donated by Dawson's Hot Sauce
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$25 gift card to Steel Wheel Brewery
Prizes will be drawn LIVE on our SB Socials on October 22 & winners will be notified via email.
Huge thank you to all our amazing prize donors!
THANK YOU!
We seriously can’t thank you enough for supporting Hope, Cystic Fibrosis Canada and our team as we take this on. Every donation, share and bit of support means more than you know.
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– The SB Real Estate Team