Moreover, advances in genetic technology have all of us excited about the potential of a "cure" for this disease. Still, according to the CF Foundation, CF affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States and more than 10 million Americans are unknowing, symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. Clearly this is a disease that is of major medical impact to our society and the individuals and families that it affects.
At Duke, we have a certified Cystic Fibrosis Center, comprised of a dedicated team of physicians, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, clinical social workers, and physical therapists. Meanwhile, the success of our transplant program in patients with cystic fibrosis serves as a model for other programs and allows our CF center to care for patients with more advanced CF.
Combined with clinical and basic science research in cystic fibrosis, we strive for better paradigms for the care of our patients.