Mourning Wife Becomes Fundraiser for the CPF

Cindy Chandler turns Grief into Celebration of Husband's Life

When Cindy Chandler's husband Greg was diagnosed with PF - a disease the two had never heard of - in January 2007, she had no idea the sudden and severe impact it would have on their lives. The two had no way of knowing the disease was so aggressive and could progress so rapidly.

"We didn't know the symptoms [of PF] but had we known more, at the time, we may have noticed that his breathing had changed and that we might have sought medical help earlier than 2007. The changes in his lung capacity earlier than 2007," Cindy said.

As can occur, within four short months after his diagnosis, Greg lost his life while awaiting a life-saving lung transplant.

Devastated, Cindy decided to become a crusader, working to change the outcome for future patients by raising research funds. The fact that nothing could be done to treat the disease and prolong his life was heartbreaking," she said. "But I might be able to prevent that heartbreak for others by taking on the cause and driving monies to those who are seeking the answers."

In her determination to overcome her grief, Cindy very quickly became involved with an event to raise funds for the CPF put together by her colleagues at work - that was her first effort for the CPF. At the time Cindy talked about how grateful she was to her community for rallying on behalf of her family, and that support, along with the love from her extended family, helped her deal with her loss. Still grieving but wanting to stay involved, in September 2007 she and one of her teenaged sons joined the CPF in Washington for meetings with Members of Congress during National IPF Awareness Week.

Cindy says it was the brutality of the experience of PF and the terrible inevitability of her husband's death that jarred her into action. Knowing that PF could strike her family again motivates her to keep fighting for answers.

Wanting to direct her time and energy towards in the most effective way, Cindy researched the CPF's work to learn how funds are used and what services are available for the PF community. The CPF's broad spectrum of services and careful peer review of research grant requests convinced her that it would be the right place to invest her efforts. After researching the foundation and learning how the CPF funds research and provides support for patients and families, Cindy made the decision to work with the CPF.

"The reassurances and information provided by the CPF offered me the confidence I needed to support this organization," Cindy said. The work of the CPF is crucial in helping solve the mystery around PF. Too many families are - and will be - touched by the disease to allow it to go unnoticed," Cindy Chandler

In just more than a year after Greg's death, Cindy has held three successful fundraisers along with her sons, in her home of Webster, New York. They included the first effort, a concert in June, 2007 sponsored by the local middle school and their band teacher, Cindy's friend and neighbor, Tony Britt. With just two weeks of planning, the event raised $4,000 for the CPF.

The second event was a charity basketball throwing contest in January this year that was organized by a friend of the Chandler family, Andy Spadoni, as his senior project for his high school. Through pledges with the boy's basketball team, he raised over $1,000 for the CPF.

Just weeks ago, Cindy's family and friends celebrated their love of Cindy's husband Greg, by holding a hugely successful fundraising golf tournament Cindy's nephew, Matt Solimano set up the event, also as part of a senior project,. They quickly realized their original goal for the event of $10,000 and exceeded it by raising more than $30,000. More than 160 golfers participated on a rainy day in June, some waiting patiently for yours to tee off. The depth of local support was obvious when people kept arriving until the dinner tent was filled to absolute capacity.

"We were blown away by the efforts of everyone involved," she said. "This event helped to raise awareness and also to highlight the work of the CPF." Cindy said her goal was to make it a memorable event to celebrate Greg's life.

A school principal, Cindy reached out to other administrators, students and families to help raise awareness about the disease and to raise funds for desperately needed funding.

"The idea that there is a panel of experts [at the CPF] deciding on the research efforts makes us feel confident that our efforts will have the most impact, she said.

Her sons, ages 13 and 17, are equally dedicated to the cause. "One of the doctors in Philadelphia challenged the boys to 'find a cure'. This [fundraising] is something we can all do now to support the research," Cindy said.

Cindy says anyone can hold a successful fundraising event for the CPF and she shares a few tips for making an event successful:

-Share details of about the CPF and Pulmonary Fibrosis to raise awareness. The facts about PF and your personal experience with the disease seem to be key motivators for people to participate.

-Continue to connect with others in the community that have experience with PF.

-Pay attention to detail in your planning so the event can run smoothly and be exciting for those attending.

"Everyone has the ability to pursue fundraising and awareness efforts to further the cause," Cindy said. "The fundraising efforts we've held were uplifting for our family, the boys especially. They saw such love and support for our family. Although they felt Greg's obvious absence, they also felt that they were supporting others in this effort. The idea of taking tragedy and finding something positive is helping us to continue each day."

Cindy says she is already making plans for her fourth fundraising event in Webster. It will be another golf tournament, likely to be held in July, 2009. "We are committed to continue our efforts until we have a cure."