The Boomer Esiason Foundation congratulates the exceptional student-athletes with cystic fibrosis who recently were selected by the Foundation to receive the prestigious Exercise for Life Scholarship for the coming school year. The Foundation awards more than $250,000 in scholarships each year to outstanding students with CF who strive both for therapy compliance and for academic success.
“While our ultimate goal is to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, we know that the 30,000 Americans living with the disease need assistance in the here and now,” Esiason said. “Our scholarship program is one we are addressing the day-to-day needs of people living with CF.”
The Boomer Esiason Foundation is “very proud of our 2011 scholarship recipients,” Esiason continued. “Dealing with this disease is tough, but they’re living, breathing proof that people with CF can lead full and productive lives.”
Doctors and CF centers have made it clear: when it comes to CF, exercise saves lives. BEF’s Exercise for Life Scholarship is awarded annually to high school senior scholar-athletes on the basis of demonstrated financial need, academic accomplishment and athletic ability in the area of running. BEF grants one female and one male each a $10,000 scholarship.
Nathan Hatley, the 2011 male recipient of the Exercise for Life Scholarship, is from King, N.C. Nathan, 18, ran 1.5 miles with a winning time of 7:36:49. He recently graduated with honors from West Stokes High School and has always been involved in exercise, with activities including band, baseball, biking, swimming, weight lifting and running. Nathan believes running is a great form of airway clearance and keeping his lungs clear. He’ll start at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro in the fall and plans to study liberal arts.
Connor Lewis, the 2011 female recipient of the Exercise for Life Scholarship, is from Barnesville, Minn. Connor, 18, ran 1.5 miles in 10:20:49. She recently graduated from Barnesville High School, with activities that included four years in the marching band, the D.A.R.E. program, mathletes, track and field, basketball, football and softball. Connor is an extraordinary young woman who is looking forward to studying mathematics at the University of Minnesota beginning this fall.
In addition to the Exercise for Life Scholarship, the Boomer Esiason Foundation offers a general academic scholarship, the Scholarship of the Arts, the Bonnie Strangio Education Scholarshipand the Rosemary Quigley Memorial Scholarship. The Foundation also works with Abbott to present the Sacks for CF Scholarship, made annually to 30 students who strive for therapy adherence and academic success. For more information and applications, please visit the Scholarships page on our website (http://esiason.org/scholarships/).
Other programs offered by the Boomer Esiason Foundation for the cystic fibrosis community include:
- Club CF, a website that allows people with cystic fibrosis to open up and share some very personal stories with others who may be able to relate to their experiences. Visit the Club CF page on our website, or go to the Club CF website (http://www.clubcysticfibrosis.com).
- CF Podcasts, a series of audio and video interviews by BEF Volunteer Jerry Cahill with a variety of people from the CF community. Visit the CF Podcast section of our website, or go to Jerry Cahill’s website (http://www.jerrycahill.com).
- CF Wind Sprints, a series of brief videos offering tips for living with cystic fibrosis. View the videos in the CF Wind Sprints section of our website, or go to www.cfwindsprints.com.