Community Takes Plunge For Cystic Fibrosis Cure

SOUTHOLD, NY— The community is coming together to take the plunge to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.

A Polar Bear Plunge, benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will be held Sunday, March 4, at Founders Landing in Southold. Registration takes place at 9 a.m. with the Plunge at 10 a.m. Hundreds of participants will brave the cold and plunge into the bay for a cure

"We are so thankful to our sponsors, community, family, and friends," said Jennifer Koke, whose daughter, Camryn, has cystic fibrosis. "Right now is such an important time to fundraise for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for research. There are so many exciting things happening, there will be a cure in our lifetime. This would not be possible without everyone's support. We are forever grateful."

For years, the community has reached out to raise funds to help Camryn and others battling the disease to find a cure.

Tom Shearin, who was a fishing buddy of Camryn's grandfather and Koke's father Peter Johnstone, raises funds to fight cystic fibrosis in honor of his friend, who died after a battle with cancer in 2010.

After his friend died, Shearin said he wanted to do something to help Camryn, the little granddaughter to whom Johnstone had been so devoted. Koke said her father was at their home every day with donuts, candy and love for Camryn and her other children.

"He used to tell me, 'It's breaking my heart, watching her go through this,'" Shearin said. "The best way to remember him, to honor his memory, is to go out and help them find a cure."

The goal of the Polar Bear Plunge Sunday is to raise funds to further the mission and help extend the lives of those with the disease, Koke said.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to "cure cystic fibrosis and provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high quality, specialized care," the organization said. "We will not rest until we find a cure for all people with cystic fibrosis."

And, said Southold's Janet Auer, who lost her daughter Ericka, 18, to cystic fibrosis, with new treatments emerging, it's important to continue to fund research. Her son also has CF, she said.

"My children are my heroes," Auer said. "I love them and look up to them. For my son, and all of the other children and adults living with this deadly disease — this is the reason we need to raise funds and find a cure so no one else has to go through what we have."

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States established to provide the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis. For more information, click here.

To learn more about Sunday's event, contact Josh Estes at 516-827-1290 or email jestes@cff.0rg.