Club CF 50+

People with CF who are LIVING, BREATHING and SUCCEEDING at 50+ have beaten the odds!

This may be a time to look for less stressful alternatives in their careers and to take better care of themselves—enjoying more “me” time. They may be motivated by exercising and by complying with medical regimens to live a fuller, healthier life. It is about priorities and knowing one’s limits.

These people are in the process of thinking about the next part of their life … maybe disability and then giving back to the CF community by volunteering.

December 2009

Dan Palumbo

“Music continues to be a large part of my life, and I currently play the guitar and keyboard and enjoy writing.”

I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth and given one year to live.  For 53 years, I have continued to beat that diagnosis.  Growing up in Dupont, Penn., CF did not determine who I was. As a child, my parents got me involved with sports and exercise, similar to my peers.  They also introduced me to the drums, which raised my interest in music while allowing me to move about and exercise.  Music continues to be a large part of my life, and I currently play the guitar and keyboard and enjoy writing. 

I attended school at Kings College and upon graduation, I founded an ad agency called Dan Palumbo Advertising.  I have been working for 30 years doing a range of advertising that includes television, radio and printing. 

I am married and have two wonderful children who both went to college and law school.  I stay compliant with treatments so I can live life to the fullest and take care of my family.  Due to digestive problems, I always eat healthy and continue to exercise on the treadmill every week.  When I decide to retire, I would like to focus my efforts on volunteer work and raising awareness for cystic fibrosis. 

Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Pastime: Music
Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy
Favorite Color: Blue
Dream Vacation: Italy with family
You can find Dan on … Facebook

July 2009

Victor Roggli

“Never give up.”

I was born in Winchester, Tenn., in the spring of 1951. As a child, I had trouble gaining weight and was often in poor health — fighting off bouts of pneumonia. It was not until 1963, when I was 12 years old, that I received a sweat test at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. My parents’ decision to let me play sports growing up kept my lungs in shape and promoted airway clearance. While attending undergraduate school at Rice University, I remained active by participating in intramural sports, such as flag football and basketball.

Attending medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, to become a lung pathologist, I was fortunate to have access both to the most up-to-date treatment modalities and opportunities for early intervention when problems arose. Now, at 58 years old, I continue my research as a lung pathologist and professor at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. I am staying compliant with my medications but struggling to find time to exercise. With the support of my wife, daughter and two stepsons, I hope to get back to some of the activities I enjoyed in my youth.

Since I turned 50, I look at each day, week, month and year as a gift, and it is my practice to live with an attitude of gratitude. I have also found that sharing my story with CF families or the freshman medical school class at Duke is not enough. I have written a book called “So Far, So Good: Living and Coping with Cystic Fibrosis” that is unpublished and still needs editing. My goal is to complete and publish the book, and give all the proceeds to CF research. I am proud to say that I have not let CF stand in the way of my dreams and I am continuously thankful for the gifts that each day brings.   

Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Food: Butterscotch frozen yogurt
Favorite Pastime: Karaoke (I love singing, and it helps clear my airways)
Favorite Color: Periwinkle blue
Role Model: My teacher from Baylor named Don Greenberg — he was a world famous lung pathologist
Dream Vacation: Hawaii
You can find Victor on … Jerry Cahill’s podcasts (www.jerrycahill.com)

April 2009

Jerry Cahill

“CF is like being in a battle zone during wartime. There will always be many tough challenges to face, but you just have to do your best and be prepared to keep fighting.”

Since being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 11, I have viewed my CF with this type of tough stance.  After being diagnosed with CF, my family didn’t treat me any differently, which I believe is one of the biggest reasons I am living, breathing and succeeding with CF today at age 52. 

At a very young age, the importance of exercise and sports were taught to me.  I have four brothers, and growing up I played every sport they did, whether it was baseball or football or basketball.  My family helped me realize that through exercise I can live a healthier life which would permit me to live like everyone else. 

I was able to enjoy a successful career as the vice president of a large men’s designer sportswear company.  In addition, I have competed at the national level in the pole vault, with a personal best of 16’ 10”, and I have completed two New York City marathons.

I currently live in Brooklyn, N.Y., and am a volunteer at the Boomer Esiason Foundation. I lead the Foundation’s scholarship and grants division and am the founder of Team Boomer, an athletic organization dedicated to encouraging exercise among CF patients while simultaneously raising money for scholarships.  I enjoy coaching pole-vaulting at Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle, N.Y., riding my bike, swimming and lifting weights.

I am very disciplined in taking care of my health and doing my therapies so I can experience life to the fullest!

Proudest Moment: Pole vaulting 16’ 10”
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Color: Blue
Nickname: BigAir
One Word to Describe You: Competitive
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Dream Vacation: Italy
Favorite Music: Reggae
You can find Jerry on ... Facebook, MySpace, www.jerrycahill.com, www.myteamboomer.com, www.cysticfibrosis.com