The Cystic Fibrosis Center

In 2010, O'Connell's Run was started in honor of Emmett O’Connell, a pediatric Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient who is treated at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson, NJ. Now in its seventh year, we are proud to stand with so many other CF children & their families who also receive treatment at The Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a New Jersey Referral Site for infants identified through the newborn CF screening program, and recognized for its high standard of quality responsive & compassionate pediatric care, St. Joseph’s is a state designated children’s hospital offering a broad spectrum of advanced pediatric services to meet the needs of area children and their families.

Cystic Fibrosis is a rare, life-threatening disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems of approx. 30,000 children and adults in the United States. It is chronic, progressive, and usually fatal. CF causes mucus to build up and clog many organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas. This collection of sticky mucus results in life-threatening lung infections and serious digestion problems. Over time, repeated lung infections cause permanent damage and severe breathing problems. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in people who have CF.

Become a fundraiser, help children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and earn chances to win great prizes to be announced in the coming weeks!