Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis Announces Awards and Activities at ATS International...

Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis Announces Awards and Activities at ATS
International Conference

CPF Recognized for Advancing Research and Patient Advocacy Efforts

SAN DIEGO, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Pulmonary
Fibrosis (CPF) today announced awards received at the American Thoracic
Society's (ATS) International conference in San Diego, Calif. being held this
week. The ATS meeting brings together the world's leading pulmonary, critical
care and sleep physicians. The CPF received an award for a partner grant
program with ATS that, to date, has funded $400,000 in new pulmonary fibrosis
research funding. The organization also received a first-time award for its
participation in the ATS Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR). The CPF is
exhibiting in booth #2921 on "PAR Row" at the International meeting.

The CPF has partnered with the ATS since 2006 to provide peer-reviewed grants
for innovative research in PF. To date, the CPF/ATS partner grant program has
awarded grants to PF researchers at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD),
Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, Mass.), Ohio State University Medical
Center (Columbus, Ohio) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville,
Tenn.).

"We are pleased to receive some very prestigious awards from ATS, and we're
proud to continue this exciting partnership with ATS," said Mishka Michon, CEO
of the CPF.

The CPF received the ATS Foundation's inaugural "Breathing for Life Award" for
its participation in the ATS PAR, the patient voice of the ATS. The ATS PAR
has created unparalleled synergy with ATS members by involving patients in
providing support, shaping public policy and stimulating new research.

Due to the CPF's involvement with ATS and combined efforts to further educate
doctors and researchers on PF, the disease is gaining more attention and PF is
the subject of an increasing number of high profile sessions at the
international conference. Sessions on PF at this year's meeting have included
topics ranging from basic research areas in lung stem cells as well as
clinical and translational research from bench to bedside.

The CPF also awarded an ATS travel grant, provided to fund a PF researcher's
conference travel, to James P. Bridges, Ph.D. from Cincinnati Children's
Hospital and Medical Center.

For a schedule of ATS events, please visit
http://www.thoracic.org/sections/meetings-and-courses/international-conference/2009/index.html.

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)
Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive
scarring -- known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly
robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans
suffer from PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated
48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an
estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.
Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain
environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual
infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis.
However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is
the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the CPF
The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate
research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while
educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families,
and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising
research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and
families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves
as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness
of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's
nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and
healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 19,000 members nationwide,
the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to
advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit
www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Su Hwang of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, +1-571-226-7815,
shwang@coalitionforpf.org