Dear Friends,

The leaves are beginning their fall change of color here in Ohio. The weather may change here, but one thing has remained a constant every November for the past 27 years - The Paces Participate in the Cystic Fibrosis Bowl for Breath. We are definitely on the "adult end" of this incurable disease but our efforts benefit all ages and stages of this disease.

Family Update: Brent was diagnosed with CF at age 3 ½ through a sibling check. At that time he exhibited no symptoms of the disease. Derik was diagnosed with CF at 6 months. He had poor weight gain and a cough that wouldn't go away. We hoped our boys would live to be teenagers. In 1969 the median age was 14. That increased to 32 in 2000 and 35 in 2004. Why has that happened? It is because of YOU! Through your donations over the years, research and patient care have improved the lives of those affected with CF.

Brent turned the page on a new decade when he turned 30 last April. He has the latest in "treatment wear" all put into a 24x9x9 carrying bag. We've come a 'long way" since hand postural drainage was the only option in the 1970s. The year has found him sailing in Charleston Harbor, trying out wake boarding, snow-skiing out west with college friends, and of course playing music in two bands. He has reunited with high school girl friend, Lynnette. His CF health has been good this year and he hasn't had any hospital stays.

At 27, Derik still cooks in the day and still enjoys cooking at home. His coffee cake is a staple of Linda's wedding and baby showers! He had his gall bladder removed this past year after a difficult diagnosis, but this has eased the pains he was experiencing. He continues on oxygen at night and works to maintain his weight. His newest challenge is not being able to drive because of 3 seizures he has recently had (this is not CF related). The question "Why" remains unanswered. Misty is a huge support in his ever challenging medical conditions.

Before Jim gives you the research update, we thought it might be helpful to remind you of some statistics:

• About 30,000 people in the US have CF. About 22,300 of these are tracked in CF clinics.
• About 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
• About 1 in 28 Caucasians are carriers of the CF gene
• The CF Foundation's care center network consists of more than 117 care centers, nationwide. Six of these centers are in Ohio. Three of these Ohio CF care centers (The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center & University of Cincinnati, Columbus Children's Hospital/Ohio State University, and University Hospital of Cleveland & Case Western Reserve University) also conduct CF research funded by the CF Foundation.

New Research:

• In the past, we've mentioned gene therapy as one of the big hopes for treatment/cure of CF. Previous trials have attempted to use a modified cold virus or liposomes (fat capsules) to carry the corrected CF gene to the nucleus. None of them were as successful as hoped. A new clinical trial uses "compacted" DNA in which single copies of a "healthy" CF gene are compacted small enough to pass through the cell membrane into the cell nucleus. Early trials show this method is safe and tolerated well. The next step is to develop an aerosol version of the compacted DNA to carry the healthy gene directly into the lungs! Use of "compact DNA" also may have a future in treating some brain diseases and macular degeneration!
• TOBI is an inhaled antibiotic (Tobramycin for Inhalation) used since 1997 to control a bacteria (P. aeruginosa) that is particularly hard to control in CF. New studies are examining the possibility of judicious use of TOBI in infants and young patients before P. Aeruginosa becomes established. Preventing the scarring of lung tissue caused by recurrent lung infections could help improve the length and quality of life for those with CF.

  These two studies represent 2 of the almost 30 research programs funded by the CF Foundation in programs ranging from Gene Therapy to Antibiotic Use to Nutrition. This year alone, the CF Foundation will provide nearly $2.5 million in support for CF research and care. But no matter how much you contribute, you ARE making a SIGNIFICANT contribution to the health of CF patients. NEED PROOF? Reread the second paragraph! Together, we are adding tomorrows every day to the lives of those with CF!

  The Pace family will bowl on November 6, 2005. Help us "bowl-over" the "ten pin" obstacle of CF with your tax-deductible contribution sent to us and made payable to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

  Thanks for your contunied support. You are our heroes!

Jim, Linda, Brent, Derik, and Misty Pace

PS: More information about cystic fibrosis research is available at the CF Foundation web site at:

http://www.cff.org