Cystic Fibrosis Centers and Programs

Gunnar Esiason Adult Cystic Fibrosis & Lung Program

Established in 2009 with a grant from BEF, this program has become the premier site for adult CF care and research in the NYC metropolitan area. In 2019, BEF also supported a Nurse Practitioner to assist the increased research and drug studies for people with CF and the growth of the center to more than 260 patients.

Columbia Center for Translational Immunology and the Lung Transplant Program

Columbia University Irving Medical Center is leading a first-of-its-kind effort to teach the immune system to tolerate transplanted lungs without the need for immunosuppressant medications, through its Columbia Center for Translational Immunology and the Lung Transplant Program. In 2017, with lead support from the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a complex research protocol was started with a concomitant lung and bone marrow transplant model with the goal of tricking the recipient’s immune system to accept transplanted lung(s) as self and eventually eliminating long-term post-transplant complications, particularly rejection and infection.

Over the past year, physicians and scientists at Columbia have been testing and refining this research through a series of studies which are hoped ultimately to lead to a dramatic change in quality of life and longevity for patients who receive a lung transplant.

BEF’s continued investment in Cohen Children’s Medical Center has had a transformative impact on its pediatric cystic fibrosis care by advancing its mission in several ways – helping launch a new pilot program in gastroenterology and nutrition, realizing the new Center home in Lake Success, expanding the clinical research capacity, and new & more comprehensive clinical services to the largest pediatric CF population on Long Island.

BEF is proud to be funding a multi-site randomized control trial assessing the efficacy of a contemporary “third wave” mental health intervention for people with cystic fibrosis, versus traditional talk therapy.

Learn more about the study here.

BEF supports the mission of United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (USACFA) to expedite the exchange of information among adults with CF and provide a nationwide network of support between those with CF, their families, and health care providers. Thanks to the BEF’s sponsorship, CF Roundtable – USACFA’s quarterly newsletter – is distributed to all who subscribe free of charge. The newsletter has a distribution of over 6000 annually and averages 32 pages of information on all aspects of CF including medical, research, legal, coping, focus topics, transplant, and more.

In 2019, BEF was a proud sponsor and supporter of the 32^nd CF Education Conference, an annual three-day conference hosted by CFRI that provides adults with CF, caregivers, healthcare providers, and researchers the opportunity to hear from national experts in the field of CF about current and pipeline therapies, new research, the importance of being medically adherent, as well as psychosocial and physical health quality of life strategies. With the support of sponsors, CFRI was able to off online attendance at no cost to individuals with CF, their caregivers, and immediate family members.

BEF is a two-year event sponsor of the CFLF New England Craft Beer Open, a consistently sold out golf event. BEF expanded its sponsorship into the 12^th Annual Champ’s Challenge for Cystic Fibrosis cycling event. BEF and CFLF are proud partners in promoting the importance of incorporating fitness into CF patients’ care.

For the last several years the Boomer Esiason Foundation has been an integral sponsor for the annual Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon, 10 Miler, Relay, and 5K Run/Walk. BEF has been the relay sponsors and in 2018 signed on as the new 10 Mile race sponsor.

With BEF’s support, CF Yogi has had over 800 people register, 200 of which signed up within two weeks of the partnership announcement. The funding allowed F Yogi to hire an additional instructor and bring on a yoga teacher-in-training as well.

Take a Breather Foundation

BEF teamed up with the Take a Breather Foundation for its Beach Dash. Because of the sponsorship, the TaBF has been able to fulfill a “breather” request for a 26 year old cystic fibrosis patient from the Penn CF Care Center.

Laps to Breathe

BEF has partnered with Harrill Motorsports in an effort to spread CF awareness and BEF brand awareness in a new, untapped community – the racing world.