Press Release:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (March 31, 2011) – The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is pleased to announce that Wahoo’s Fish Taco will be the title sponsor of the fourth Annual Pipeline to a Cure gala on Saturday, August 6, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.
Legendary watermen Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama will again serve as honorary co-chairman of the event, having served in this capacity since the inaugural event in 2008. To date, Pipeline to a Cure has raised more $1,000,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to support its efforts to find a cure.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
The Pipeline to a Cure event was created to herald the discovery by Australian researchers who found that cystic fibrosis children that surfed had significantly healthier lungs. Doctors determined that inhaling saltwater mist has a powerful effect on rehydrating the lining of the lungs, which allows cystic fibrosis patients to more easily eliminate bacteria-contaminated mucus. This discovery led researchers to develop a hypertonic saline solution, which cystic fibrosis patients around the world now inhale every day. In essence, cystic fibrosis patients now mimic a “surf session” on a daily basis.
“Recent clinical trials for a drug called VX-770 have shown positive results for improving the health of those with Cystic Fibrosis. The funds raised at Pipeline go directly to this life-saving research, and without the support of sponsors such as Wahoo’s and people like Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama, and so many others, we would not be able to make this progress. We want to reach out other like-minded individuals and companies who will help these children and young adults live to fulfill their dreams.”
With no public funding, funds raised from the private sector provide a tremendous and critical lifeline to the more than 70,000 children around the world with cystic fibrosis. The last three events attracted a groundswell of support from the business and surf communities.
Current and past sponsors are Wahoo’s Fish Taco, LAcarGUY, A-Med Health Care , Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, American Airlines, Coast Benefit Consultants, BJ’s Restaurants, Nick Alexander Imports, Pepsi, Pac Sun, Heineken, Crown Imports, Volcom, HB Surf School, Newport Surf Camp, and Alar Staffing Corporation.
Surfers lending their support for the CF cause included Lisa Anderson, Peter “PT” Townend, Tom Curren (who also performed) Rob Machado, Jeff Clark, Mickey Munoz, Jericho Poppler, Gerry Lopez, Gavin Beschen, Kala Alexander, Michael Ho, Julian Wilson, Sally Fitzgibbons, Travis Mellem and Jamie Mitchell. Celebrities who attended include Gabrielle Reece, Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day) Eva LaRue (CSI: Miami), Tia Carrere, Kiptyn Locke (Bachelor Pad), Tim Salmon (formerly with the Los Angeles Angel s of Anaheim), Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak, Rowdy Gaines, Tom Shadyac (director) with performances by Social Distortion, Shiny Toy Guns, Emily’s Army and Kai Kalama.
For more information about Pipeline to a Cure or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please call (714) 938-1393 or visit www.pipelinetoacure.com or www.cff.org.
About Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind. It has received a four-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the United States and is an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. The Foundation’s business model has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health and by publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek.
