5th Annual Wine for a Cure, a Benefit for Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc.

Livermore, CA, October 08, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc. (CFRI) Holds Wine for a Cure to Raise Funds for the Most Common Fatal Genetic Disease in the U.S.

Imagine the birth of a beautiful baby girl. Everything about her seems perfect. Less than two weeks later, her parents’ world collapses. The pediatrician calls to say, “Your baby has tested positive for cystic fibrosis (CF) through newborn screening.” The direction of their lives has forever changed. This beloved baby has been diagnosed with the most common fatal hereditary disease in the United States.

Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc. (CFRI) invites you to be part of their efforts to provide for a healthier future for those with CF by attending “Wine for a Cure.”

CFRI is rising to the challenge of raising funds for CF research and education with the exciting Wine for a Cure, on Sunday, October 19, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa in Livermore, with a special pre-event VIP reception from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The setting is breathtaking. The food, prepared by On the Vine, is delectable. The wines – created and poured by some of the most notable vintners in the elite Livermore wine country, including Steven Kent, La Rochelle, McGrail Vineyards, Bodegas Aguirre and De Fina Family Cellars – are extraordinary. Livermore’s Chris LeBel will provide music. And the auction– including exclusive luxury items – tempts the estimated 150 attendees to bid generously in support of a cure for cystic fibrosis.

A highlight of the evening will be the participation of diverse celebrities. Bill Ring, retired 49er from the golden years of Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and Roger Craig, will be in attendance, as will Hollywood actor Todd Giebenhain, who has been in countless television series (True Detective, Raising Hope, CSI), and who lives with CF. There will also be a special musical performance by recording artists Adam Topol and Tess Dunn. Adam is the drummer and percussionist for Culver City Dub Collective as well as for Jack Johnson (Adam tours internationally with Jack Johnson and has played drums and percussion on his last six albums).

Adam’s connection to CF is personal: his cousin Anna Modlin, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, has CF and received a double lung transplant nearly four years ago. Singer-songwriter Tess Dunn – who battles CF – has performed nationally, including at West Coast Vans Warped Tour shows for six consecutive years. She has released three albums, the first of which featured Adam Topol on drums. This performance will mark Adam and Tess’ first musical reunion since 2009.

Wine for a Cure brings together the best that the beautiful Livermore wine country has to offer. In addition to offering bountiful hors’ d’oeuvres, dinner, wine tasting, music, a CF educational presentation and an exciting auction, CFRI will award the “Caregiver of the Year Award” to Dr. Carlos Milla, Associate Professor and Director of Stanford Medical Center’s Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center, in recognition of his tireless and inspirational dedication to providing the highest quality of care to children and teens living with cystic fibrosis.

“As a mother to a beloved adult daughter living with CF, I know first-hand the importance of raising funds for our CF research programs,” states Sue Landgraf, CFRI’s Executive Director. “Wine for a Cure will support CFRI’s 39-year history of providing seed funding for promising new lines of basic and clinical CF research, with prospects of future funding by other sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The findings from recent studies validate the investment of time, effort and money to search for treatments that focus on the underlying basic defect of cystic fibrosis. CFRI is committed to raising more funds for innovative research.”

Cystic fibrosis affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States and more than 70,000 people worldwide. Cystic fibrosis drastically impacts people’s respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. Prior to newborn screening, most children were diagnosed due to repeated lung infections and “failure to thrive,” another term for extreme malnutrition. From the moment of diagnosis, those with CF face a daily, life-long battle to slow the inevitable progression of the disease. This includes respiratory therapy, multiple medications, IV antibiotics, and frequent hospitalizations to cope with lung infections and secondary complications such as diabetes, sinus and liver disease. For those with advanced lung disease, a double lung transplant – fraught with its own extreme risks - is often the only life-extending option.

Founded in 1975, the nonprofit CFRI has been an important resource for the community by funding research, providing education and support, and raising awareness about CF. Tremendous progress has been made, but CF remains a challenging disease. Without increased support for research, cystic fibrosis will continue to claim lives. Wine for a Cure is a delicious way to provide hope for the future of those touched by cystic fibrosis.

Tickets are $100 per person, or $125 per person for the VIP ticket. For event details and to purchase tickets, please go to www.cfri.org and click on the Wine for a Cure page.

Wine for a Cure is generously underwritten by Vertex Pharmeceuticals, AbbVie, Chiesi USA, and the Pleasanton Lions Club.