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Meet the Board Members |
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PAUL FELD, PRESIDENT
My name is Paul Feld, and I was honored to be elected to the Board of Directors of USACFA in 2001. I am 48 years old, and was diagnosed with CF around the age of 19. I am married to Kristi, who also is my best friend, and our honeymoon is now in it's 14th year. I have an adopted daughter, Sarah, who is 23 and a senior at Central Missouri State College. I am employed by BJC HealthCare in St Louis, where I have worked for 20 years. I manage about 20 wonderful people who care for the computer systems that document our patient visits. I enjoy writing, playing walleyball, golfing, and bowling. Finally, my HealthCare systems largest hospital, Barnes-Jewish, is the tops in lung transplantation, having performed over 800 of them since its program inception. I'm happy to say I was #765, and received my wonderful, new lungs 10/23/04. I'm one of those miracle people who get a fresh start in life around 50 years old. My goal in life is to be as wise and old as our Treasurer, and former USACFA President. Email: pfeld@usacfa.org
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CYNTHIA DUNAFON, VICE-PRESIDENT
Cynthia Dunafon was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 12 years of age and celebrated her 42nd birthday this year. She currently lives in Chicago and divides her time between working on a graduate degree in the humanities, teaching part-time, and staying healthy. She enjoys spending time with her partner Steven, reading voraciously, swimming, and folding origami.
In recent years, Cynthia has become increasingly active in the CF community. She has participated in several clinical trials and is a member of the planning committee for the Chicago CF Awareness Day (which just celebrated its 25th anniversary!) and helps maintain their website. This spring, she will be part of a CFF-sponsored task force dedicated to improving the quality of care in CF clinics nationwide. Finally, she has been a member of the USACFA Board of Directors since 2003, and has recently accepted the position of vice president. Email: cdunafon@usacfa.org |
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LAURA TILLMAN, RECORDING SECRETARY
My name is Laura Tillman. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 1995 at the age of 47. I'm 58 years old and have been married to Lew for over 30 years. We have no children of our own but have 5 Godchildren ranging in age from 4 to 28 and have also been the proud parents of 2 Golden Retrievers in the past. We are currently "child free" but are considering adopting another furry, four-legged child. I took early retirement in 2000 as a school psychologist due to constant infections acquired from working with infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, elementary, middle school, and autistic children. Since then I have been involved in volunteer work with the Michigan Humane Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, USACFA, a Michigan-based CF organization, a medical school program that pairs patients with first and second year students in a mentoring role as to what it's like to live with a chronic illness, and the local library. I currently serve on the board of directors of both USACFA and my local CFF office. I write the "News from the Internet" column for CF Roundtable and have been elected as Recording Secretary for USACFA. My passions include animals, traveling, and reading. I also enjoy attending musicals and dance programs, Pilates exercise, walking, re-modeling/decorating our house, baking, and socializing! Email: ltillman@usacfa.org
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KATHY RUSSELL, TREASURER
My name is Kathy Russell. I was diagnosed with CF in 1956, when I was 12. I have been married to Paul since 1965. We have no children. I worked as a hospital nurse until I was 31. I had to stop working because I kept getting ill from bacteria at work. Since retiring I have spent much of my time in volunteer efforts. I helped to organize USACFA in 1990 and have been an officer since the beginning. Currently, I am the Treasurer and I write a column (Speeding Past 50) for our newsletter, CF Roundtable. I turn 63 this year. Email: krussell@usacfa.org
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ANDREA EISENMAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR & WEBMASTER
Andrea is 42 years old and was diagnosed with CF at nine months of age. She joined USACFA in the fall of 2000, six months after her bilateral lung transplant. At that time, she and her doctors realized she could not go back to work and take care of her health needs, so she continued on disability. But Andrea wanted to keep busy and feel useful so she volunteered to use her skills to produce CF Roundtable on her computer. Having redesigned the newsletter about a year later, working with other board members, she has since designed the USACFA website as well. When not occupied with her USACFA duties, she volunteers at the New York Organ Donor Network. Volunteering there involves various tasks that build awareness of organ and tissue donation. Her transplant has made a huge difference in the quality of her life; she wishes that others, too, will have that opportunity if needed. Email: aeisenman@usacfa.org |
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COLLEEN ADAMSON, DIRECTOR
Colleen Adamson is a 37-year-old person with CF. She was diagnosed when she was 13 months old, when her mother, recognizing the classic symptoms of the disease (failure to thrive, always sick, etc.) insisted she be tested for CF (Doctors had been reluctant to do the test since the disease "didn't run in her family"). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from Union College in Schenectady, NY in 1991, and a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA in 1992. Colleen works full time as an Operations Research Analyst for the U.S. Government, and she has been married to Scott Adamson for almost nine years. She had a bilateral lung transplant on 3 July 1998 at Fairfax Hospital in Virginia, becoming the first CF patient to be transplanted at Fairfax Hospital. Colleen has been a Director of USACFA since 2000, and is a mentor for the Fairfax Hospital Lung Transplant program, as well as a member of the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium (WRTC) speaker's bureau. Email: cadamson@usacfa.org |
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DEBBIE AJINI, DIRECTOR
My name is Debbie Ajini. I was born in 1970 and diagnosed at 2 months with CF. I have had my share of ups and downs over the years with my health including getting a feeding tube and a bout of major hemoptysis. I am currently doing ok and holding my own.
I have been married since 1995 to Louie. We have a fur baby, a yellow lab named Max who we have spoiled ever since we brought him home. I have my own business creating custom designed scrapbooks and organizing photos. This allows working at odd hours and still taking good care of me. My husband and I enjoy traveling, especially to places that include a beach, an umbrella and a drink.
I have worked with a CF organization here in Michigan, MPDCI, for over 16 years as a volunteer. I am exciting about expanding my horizons with a national organization like USACFA.
Email: dajini@usacfa.org |
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JOAN FINNEGAN BROOKS, DIRECTOR
Joan was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at one month of age in 1960 and was adopted into a wonderful family. Her parents, Joseph and Catherine Finnegan, opened their hearts to Joan despite having already lost their 2 1/2 year old daughter to CF, and having two sons, one of whom had CF. Sadly, Joan’s brother John lost his battle with CF in 1969 at age 15. Despite this great loss, her parents instilled a ‘can do’ attitude in Joan and taught her valuable lessons in responsibility for self-management of CF care.
She has been married to her husband, Peter, since 1989 - the same year as the discovery of the CF gene! A lifelong proponent of exercise, Joan runs, cycles and lifts weights to keep her lungs healthy. Needing daily insulin injections to treat her CF-related diabetes didn’t prevent her from completing the Marine Corps Marathon in 1998. Joan graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Economics. In 2002, she founded and is principal consultant of Patient–Focused Market Research, advising drug companies on the importance of identifying, understanding, and incorporating patient perspectives in their development processes and program recommendations.
Joan volunteers in several leadership positions for the CF Foundation locally and nationally. She is a member of the Advisory Task Force on Adult Issues and has testified before Congressional leaders as an advocate for all people affected by CF.
Joan is grateful to have benefited from new drug development and advances in patient care sponsored by the CF Foundation. She is a participant in clinical trials and encourages all people with CF to ask about opportunities to test promising new drugs at their local CF Care Centers - it’s exciting to contribute to medical progress!
Email: jfbrooks@usacfa.org |
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RICH DENAGEL, DIRECTOR
Hello everyone, my name is Richard DeNagel. And I was recently voted on the Board of USACFA and am grateful for the honor. I am a 39 year old man and was diagnosed when I was 6 months old . Presently, I reside in San Francisco, California. About a year ago I moved out here from New York City, where I lived for the better part of 20 years. I am single gay guy , which also provide some interesting challenges. And actively dating so if you know anyone pass along my e-mail! I work part time as a substitute teacher and am trying to go back to work full time. My interests vary from baseball, go Yankees, to working out and playing softball. I am a huge softball guy. I have been involved with the CF Foundation since the days of the bike-a-thon. Over the past few years I have been actively involved with a small CF group in New York City. I love being active in the community. Lastly, I write the column “Unplugged” for the last year which I truly love to do. Email: rdenagel@usacfa.org |
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KURT ROBINSON, DIRECTOR
Hey everyone, I’m Kurt Robinson, and in 2005 I became the newest Director for the USACFA. I have lived with CF since I was born in 1983. Although I have CF, I will never let it stop me from accomplishing anything in life. This year I will be graduating with honors from Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon with a degree in business. In addition to academics, I lead the busy life of an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at WOU. Sports are a huge passion of mine. If I am not coaching on the sideline, chances are I am hitting a tennis ball across the net or shooting a basketball through the hoop. I also greatly enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I recently became an uncle! Traveling, reading, and writing are also favorites of mine. Additionally I work for Platt Electric Supply and co-own, with my father, R & S Seafood, a local seafood company in Newport, Oregon.
I stay active in the CF community by volunteering at CF Foundation fundraising events throughout Oregon. I also have an active voice with the CF Foundation, having spoken at several events. In 2001, I chaired a golf tournament fundraiser which raised over $19,000 for vital CF research. It is a cause that I care deeply about. I am confident a cure will be found! I look forward to making a positive contribution in the time that I will spend on the Board of Directors for the USACFA.
Life’s too short not to enjoy it, that’s why I make the most of it. I try to look at the positives of each day. And I always tell people to keep smiling! Email: krobinson@usacfa.org
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MAGGIE SHEEHAN, DIRECTOR
My name is Maggie Sheehan and I am a 19 year old college student at DePaul University in Chicago. I am going to school to get a degree in communications, and I hope to pursue a career in public relations. I have lived a small suburb of Illinois my entire life with my Mom, Dad, and brother, Steven. I was diagnosed with CF at 13 months of age with all of the classic signs of cf. I have many ups and downs through out my life with cf. I had a g-tube placed when I was 9, and decided at 17 it was not for me and started doing Ng feedings, and then decided that was not for me either, and then I switched to drinking Scandi-shakes.
I have been very active with the CFF since a young kid, and I have spoke at many of their events. This year I will be one of three honorees, and the only CF patient, at the “Breath of Life” Gala in Chicago, hosted by the CF Foundation. Also, my parents and I just started our own foundation last year called “Maggie’s Miracle Makers”. We started our own foundation in order to give money to many different CF related organizations including the cf clinic I attend in Chicago. Last April I was awarded the Heroes of Hope Award from Genentech, Inc., getting that award was such an honor, and something I will never forget!
I enjoy a good meal with friends any day of the week. All of my friends I have met in college are some of the greatest people I have gotten to know in my lifetime. If I am not studying I am exploring the city of Chicago or going to school related activities with friends. My family is my number one priority and have always been there to support me. I am glad college is not too far from home because I know I can always count on my parents coming to the city to spend some weekends with me. I live life to the fullest and try to find something positive in each and every day!
I was so thrilled to hear I was elected as a USACFA Director! I am so excited to work with such wonderful role models and learn from their experiences. I am hoping to bring a younger perspective to the board, new ideas, and share my experiences as well. I have been reading the “CF Roundtable” for a few years now, and I am looking forward to bring my own thoughts to it! Email: msheehan@usacfa.org |
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BETH SUFIAN, DIRECTOR
Beth Sufian is a partner in the law firm of Sufian & Passamano in Houston, Texas. Beth's professional and personal experience have instilled a unique understanding of the law and the importance of being able to advocate for yourself or a family member with CF. Beth has assisted people with CF and their families across the country with various legal matters such as Social Security benefits and insurance problems.
Beth is 40 years old and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 9. Beth has been married for 18 years and has a daughter who is 5. Beth cherishes the many friends she has who also have CF, many of whom she has met through her work with CF Roundtable. Email: bsufian@usacfa.org |
