Cystic Fibrosis Research Reveals New Information

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Researchers of a deadly genetic disorder are getting closer to finding a cure.
The news is exciting for people who live with Cystic Fibrosis.

Some Oklahomans may be the first to try out the promising medication.

Right now people with Cystic Fibrosis take dozens of medication and daily breathing treatments. The medication in the works could mean taking a couple pills a day and a longer life expectancy.

Six-year-old Capri Faulk lives her life like any other child her age, except when she's not on the playground.

"She has to do three breathing treatments every day and wear a vest twice a day and she takes about 10 to 15 medications which equals to probably 25 to 50 pills a day," Nicole Faulk said.

But that could end soon. Capri qualifies for a clinical trial of a new drug in the pipeline for Cystic Fibrosis patients.

"These are like a promise and a hope for her future," Faulk said.

The medication is in the third trial stage, which a local CF Foundation spokesperson says is very promising.

"Statistically when drugs reach phase three they have an 80 percent chance of being approved by the FDA," Celia Palmer with the CF Foundation said.

Palmer says the research is possible through fundraising efforts made by those who live with CF and their friends and family.

"We typically raise between $10,000 to $11,000, so our team set a goal of $10,000, but once we got the promising news of the medication we upped our goal to $200,000," Faulk said.

That is a very lofty goal, but Faulk is confident they will reach it.

And you can help raise money for CF research. The local foundation is holding its Great Strides fundraiser on Saturday. If you want to participate in the walk, check in is at 9 a.m. at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City.

Capri and her family will know if she is approved for the clinical trials by the end of this month.