CureFinders event another success

The annual CureFinders Event to raise money in the fight for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) proved to be another successful event as supporters gathered at the Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, February 3rd to have a good time and to raise money for a good cause. The 6th annual, \"A Special Evening ... A Special Cause\" fundraiser was a sold-out event that helped raise close to $120,000 for the fight against CF and to bring needed funds for research. Once again, keynote speaker Dr. Dan Hassett, known to many in the CF world as “Dr. Dan” spoke about the breakthroughs that his research at the University of Cincinnati has obtained and continues to obtain through donations from events such as the one held in Pigeon Forge. “A common food preservative, sodium nitrite, can help kill the bacteria,” stated Hassett. Currently, tests are underway with animals and Dr. Hassett stated that sodium nitrite should be available to cystic fibrosis patients within the next two years. CF is a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. There are approximately 30,000 people in the United States with CF, 3,000 in Canada and 30,000 in other areas of the world. In the U.S., there are approximately 2,500 new cases diagnosed each year. Currently, there is no cure for CF, but many promising new treatments in use and even more on the horizon. The median life expectancy for a person with CF is now 37 and only thirty years ago, a CF patient was not expected to reach adulthood. For the third year in a row a “Breath of Life Award” was awarded to a person or couple who has worked with CureFinders and made contributions to the fight against CF. This year’s recipients were Rick and Tommie Ryan. “They own the Donut Friar in Gatlinburg and have been awesome with everything they have done in the fight against CF,” stated organizer Jim Deanda. “Every CF event we’ve had they have been there working. You may not have seen them because they were usually in the background working, but they were there.” Deanda stated, “I asked Rick aren’t you surprised how much these kids love you, (referring to Deanda’s three children, two which suffer from CF) in which Rick replied, “No, I’m surprised how much I love them.” In addition to the dinner, a live auction was held with the help of Thompson Carr Real Estate & Auction auctioneers Dale Carr and Todd Thompson. Highlights included a bedroom set donated by Sit & Sleep that sold for $2500, a Charlie Daniels singed fiddle donated by The Herald that brought $2000 and the dance with Cale and Callie which Sevierville Mayor Bryan Atchley once again won for $3000. A silent auction and live music helped round out the evening. The Smoky Mountain Gift Show and Food City helped sponsor the event. Future CF fundraisers include a sporting clays tournament slanted for April 27-28, a youth soccer tournament to be held in August, and \"Canter for the Cure\" to be held on Oct. 14. For more information on CF events you can call Jim Deanda at 453-0228 extension 3015.