Club CF 50+

People with CF who are LIVING, BREATHING and SUCCEEDING at 50+ have beaten the odds!

This may be a time to look for less stressful alternatives in their careers and to take better care of themselves—enjoying more “me” time. They may be motivated by exercising and by complying with medical regimens to live a fuller, healthier life. It is about priorities and knowing one’s limits.

These people are in the process of thinking about the next part of their life … maybe disability and then giving back to the CF community by volunteering.

June 2011

Valerie Batz

“Life after a bilateral lung transplant has truly been a blessing. There is no coughing, and I feel like my lungs are two brand new beautiful pink balloons, as opposed to the old smashed ones I used to have.”

My Name is Valerie Batz, and I am a 52-year-old woman living with CF. I am 13 years post-transplant and loving life!

I was born in 1959 in New Hampshire and was diagnosed at 22 months of age. At this time, my parents were told I would not live to attend elementary school, and look at me now! I was one of three children, the middle child to be exact. I have a younger sister who is now 48 and does not have CF, and I have an older brother who is now 53, and he is living with CF as well. Growing up, my brother and I were treated normally, and I am forever thankful for that. My family did not live and breathe CF; each day just became a routine, and taking enzymes and medication was just like taking your vitamins. Other than complying, I also stayed active. I was a cheerleader throughout school, and I also enjoyed sailing in Lake Michigan with my family, along with skiing and swimming. I am very proud to say that I passed the lifeguard test even though my doctor said I never would. Other than coughing day and night, along with stomach aches time to time, I have led a very normal life.

After high school, I attended the University of Illinois, where I majored in international business. I also learned to speak both French and Spanish and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to study in Paris. I never let CF hold me back!

I have been married to my wonderful husband, Jay, for 24 years. We have 22-year-old twins, Jayson and Jamison, who are both graduating college. Neither Jayson nor Jamison have CF. Being able to have them was such a gift, and my biggest joy in life is my family. My first goal in life after my children were born was to see them graduate high school ... then to see them graduate college ... and now it is to see them get married. My other goal would also be to see a cure for CF in my lifetime.

Although I grew up living a very normal life, when I was about 40 years old, my health quickly went downhill. At this point in time, I had to stop working due to my lungs plummeting down to 30% lung function. I weighed less than 100 lbs, was on full-time oxygen and a feeding tube, and my doctor made it clear that I didn’t have much time. I mentally and physically prepared myself for the fact that CF was defeating me, and then I got the call. I was transplanted the next day, and the very second I woke up, I took a deep breath and smiled.

Life after a bilateral lung transplant has truly been a blessing. There is no coughing, and I feel like my lungs are two brand new beautiful pink balloons, as opposed to the old smashed ones I used to have.

Today, I believe there is not enough I can do for CF. I’m a guest speaker on CF and organ donation in health classes and local high schools, and I feel it is my duty to give back and promote donating life. I have lived life well, and being blessed enough to travel the world and live to enjoy my family, I am very content with where my life has taken me.

Favorite Holiday: My transplant anniversary (Rebirth Day!)
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Pastime: Reading
Favorite Color: Burgundy
One Word to Describe You: Spirited
Hobbies: Love to sew and cook
You can find Valerie on: Facebook, CF Great Strides and a Boomer Esiason Foundation podcast

May 2011

Kay Wharton

“I am very thankful that growing up I never knew the life expectancy of having CF, because I never had a number in my head to hold me back from what I wanted to do.”

Growing up as a child, I was the only one with a full size Kleenex box on my desk,but that did not phase me. I just thought I got sick a lot, and I had asthma. That was not the case, and I found out at the age of 21 that I had cystic fibrosis. Not only was I diagnosed with CF, but my sister was diagnosed at the same time at the age of 29. We were two of four girls - myself being the youngest of the four - and we were the only two with CF.

By the time I was diagnosed, I had already made it through my childhood years, and I was very lucky to be as healthy as I was without being treated for all those years. In school, I participated in track, partly because it was the only non-cut team! I believe that running track for the years that I did helped in the clearing of my lungs, as I coughed a great deal. After high school, I went on to college at Purdue University. This was a family tradition, and everyone in my family attended Purdue as well. I studied Industrial Illustration Technology in college, and after several jobs and lots of experience, I started my own business in print and web design (http://www.Wharton-graphics.com), and I am able to work from home.

Not only have I been lucky enough to have a successful career, I was also blessed with a wonderful family. I have been married to my husband, Randy, for 22 years, and we have a beautiful 20-year-old daughter, Ashley, who is attending the University of Missouri - Columbia. My husband has been such a positive influence on my life, and both he and my daughter are into exercising and will be running a half-marathon soon. Exercising has gotten tough for me, as I recently started using an oxygen tank, but I hopefully see myself participating in a 10K down the road! I would say that my biggest accomplishment was completing a triathlon.

I am very thankful that growing up I never knew the life expectancy of having CF, because I never had a number in my head to hold me back from what I wanted to do. I always say, “Health isn’t just the absence of disease; it is a combination of mental, physical and social well-being…you can be a healthy Cf’er!” Life with CF is what you make of it, each day is a blessing and you have to take it one step at a time. My first goal was to see Ashley graduate high school, then it was seeing her graduate college, and I am so thrilled to say that I now need another new goal ...

Favorite Holiday: 4th of July
Favorite Food: Cantaloupe and dark chocolate
Favorite Pastime: Drawing and painting
Favorite Movie: The Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite Music: Adele
Favorite Color: Green
Role Model: Parents
Dream Cacation: Cape Cod
You can find Kay on: Facebook, Great Strides, CF Choice, www.Wharton-graphics.com (here you can find examples of the work I’ve done, along with information on my involvement the CF Foundation and Habitat for Humanity)

December 2009

Dan Palumbo

“Music continues to be a large part of my life, and I currently play the guitar and keyboard and enjoy writing.”

I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth and given one year to live.  For 53 years, I have continued to beat that diagnosis.  Growing up in Dupont, Penn., CF did not determine who I was. As a child, my parents got me involved with sports and exercise, similar to my peers.  They also introduced me to the drums, which raised my interest in music while allowing me to move about and exercise.  Music continues to be a large part of my life, and I currently play the guitar and keyboard and enjoy writing. 

I attended school at Kings College and upon graduation, I founded an ad agency called Dan Palumbo Advertising.  I have been working for 30 years doing a range of advertising that includes television, radio and printing. 

I am married and have two wonderful children who both went to college and law school.  I stay compliant with treatments so I can live life to the fullest and take care of my family.  Due to digestive problems, I always eat healthy and continue to exercise on the treadmill every week.  When I decide to retire, I would like to focus my efforts on volunteer work and raising awareness for cystic fibrosis. 

Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Pastime: Music
Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy
Favorite Color: Blue
Dream Vacation: Italy with family
You can find Dan on … Facebook

July 2009

Victor Roggli

“Never give up.”

I was born in Winchester, Tenn., in the spring of 1951. As a child, I had trouble gaining weight and was often in poor health — fighting off bouts of pneumonia. It was not until 1963, when I was 12 years old, that I received a sweat test at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. My parents’ decision to let me play sports growing up kept my lungs in shape and promoted airway clearance. While attending undergraduate school at Rice University, I remained active by participating in intramural sports, such as flag football and basketball.

Attending medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, to become a lung pathologist, I was fortunate to have access both to the most up-to-date treatment modalities and opportunities for early intervention when problems arose. Now, at 58 years old, I continue my research as a lung pathologist and professor at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. I am staying compliant with my medications but struggling to find time to exercise. With the support of my wife, daughter and two stepsons, I hope to get back to some of the activities I enjoyed in my youth.

Since I turned 50, I look at each day, week, month and year as a gift, and it is my practice to live with an attitude of gratitude. I have also found that sharing my story with CF families or the freshman medical school class at Duke is not enough. I have written a book called “So Far, So Good: Living and Coping with Cystic Fibrosis” that is unpublished and still needs editing. My goal is to complete and publish the book, and give all the proceeds to CF research. I am proud to say that I have not let CF stand in the way of my dreams and I am continuously thankful for the gifts that each day brings.   

Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Food: Butterscotch frozen yogurt
Favorite Pastime: Karaoke (I love singing, and it helps clear my airways)
Favorite Color: Periwinkle blue
Role Model: My teacher from Baylor named Don Greenberg — he was a world famous lung pathologist
Dream Vacation: Hawaii
You can find Victor on … Jerry Cahill’s podcasts (www.jerrycahill.com)

April 2009

Jerry Cahill

“CF is like being in a battle zone during wartime. There will always be many tough challenges to face, but you just have to do your best and be prepared to keep fighting.”

Since being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 11, I have viewed my CF with this type of tough stance.  After being diagnosed with CF, my family didn’t treat me any differently, which I believe is one of the biggest reasons I am living, breathing and succeeding with CF today at age 52. 

At a very young age, the importance of exercise and sports were taught to me.  I have four brothers, and growing up I played every sport they did, whether it was baseball or football or basketball.  My family helped me realize that through exercise I can live a healthier life which would permit me to live like everyone else. 

I was able to enjoy a successful career as the vice president of a large men’s designer sportswear company.  In addition, I have competed at the national level in the pole vault, with a personal best of 16’ 10”, and I have completed two New York City marathons.

I currently live in Brooklyn, N.Y., and am a volunteer at the Boomer Esiason Foundation. I lead the Foundation’s scholarship and grants division and am the founder of Team Boomer, an athletic organization dedicated to encouraging exercise among CF patients while simultaneously raising money for scholarships.  I enjoy coaching pole-vaulting at Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle, N.Y., riding my bike, swimming and lifting weights.

I am very disciplined in taking care of my health and doing my therapies so I can experience life to the fullest!

Proudest Moment: Pole vaulting 16’ 10”
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Color: Blue
Nickname: BigAir
One Word to Describe You: Competitive
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Dream Vacation: Italy
Favorite Music: Reggae
You can find Jerry on ... Facebook, MySpace, www.jerrycahill.com, www.myteamboomer.com, www.cysticfibrosis.com