IC Catholic Prep Students Pitch in for the Will B. Foundation

When IC Catholic Prep alumnus, Bill Belmonte (’86), was looking for volunteers to assist in a special fundraising event to benefit Cystic Fibrosis, a handful of current ICCP students jumped at the opportunity. What they didn’t know at the time was that the non-profit organization hosting the event, the Will B. Foundation, was created by Belmonte’s son Will, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 2009. The foundation’s mission is to help generate awareness and raise donations to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

With the help of ICCP students Mitchell Cook, Evan Czyzycki, Brendan Doherty, Arianna Estrada, Lauren Foit, and Chris Marroquin – the Will B. Foundation was able to raise $3000 in raflle ticket sales at the Cocktails to Cure Cystic Fibrosis event, which was held on Thursday, September 11th. Bill Belmonte was not only grateful for their time and efforts, but also the support of many of his former IC Catholic Prep classmates who attended the event.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. This disease is rare, affecting about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. Will’s cells produce thick and sticky mucus that can make him susceptible to lung infections and complicate the way he digests his food. For a couple of hours each day, Will inhales several medicines through a nebulizer and completes breathing exercises that help keep his lungs clear. Today, Will is a 14 year old teenage boy who pushes himself every day to stay healthy. The Will B Foundation is supporting the CF Center at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To learn more about the Will B Foundation, please visit the website at www.willbfoundation.com.

IC Catholic Prep is the oldest Catholic, coeducational college prep high school in DuPage County. Located in Elmhurst, ICCP is a regional high school that serves students from over forty communities in the western suburbs. For more information, please visit our website at www.iccatholicprep.org.