INTERVIEW
MOTOAMERICA KTM RC390 CUP RIDER JOSH SERNE
P118
WHAT IS CYSTIC
FIBROSIS?
Defined by the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation, Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a
life-threatening genetic disease that
primarily affects the lungs and diges-
tive system. 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. It also ob-
structs the pancreas and stops natural
enzymes from helping the body break
down food and absorb vital nutrients.
An estimated 30,000 children and
adults in the United States (70,000
worldwide) have CF and there are
about 1,000 new cases diagnosed
each year.
The CF gene wasn't discovered
until 1989, and since then there has
been a lot of progress in understand-
ing and treating the disease. As such,
dramatic improvements have been
made in the length and quality of life
for those with CF. For example, in the
1950s, few children with CF lived to
attend elementary school, now nearly
half the CF population is 18 or older
and many can expect to live into their
30s, 40s and beyond.
There are even some notable athletes
