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Our Story

The Take A Breather Foundation provides a breather, in the form of a wish, to those battling cystic fibrosis (CF). Founded in 2012, as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation has been an outgrowth of the Narberth CF Run which began fulfilling wishes for children in 1996, when we granted our first wish and sent a child to Disney World.

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that does not take a breather – every single day our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers spend hours clearing their lungs and taking more medicine than most can imagine, just to breathe and stay alive. Others spend too much of their childhood in the hospital fighting off life threatening lung infections with IV antiobiotics; infections that slowly destroy their lungs and other organs.

The scientific community is closer to a cure now, than it’s ever been before thanks to the amazing efforts of the CF Foundation. However, everyday thousands of children and young adults still fight just to breathe. As an organization, our board members and volunteers each bring different life stories involving cystic fibrosis, but our mission is the same: to give these families the opportunity to “take a breather” from cystic fibrosis, and offer them a moment in their lives to focus on creating magical memories and lasting smiles.

Life with Cystic Fibrosis

Mission & Vision

MISSION
To provide a respite, in the form of a wish, to those battling cystic fibrosis (CF). Our goal is to give these CF Warriors, along with their families, the opportunity to “take a breather” from cystic fibrosis and focus on creating magical memories that will stay with them for a lifetime. Memories that will strengthen their hearts and minds as they battle the psychological, emotional and financial turmoil that accompanies life with CF.

VISION

We started locally in our community, the greater Philadelphia area, with the Narberth Cystic Fibrosis Run. Since then, we have worked with over 20 CF partnering clinics across the country. Our vision is to expand our reach even further and to continue to serve those living with cystic fibrosis. 

Operating Guidelines

PARTNERSHIPS
To increase our capacity of helping those living with cystic fibrosis, we partner with like-minded organizations including Give Kids the World, The Something mAAgic Foundation and CFF Accredited Care Centers.

SUSTAINABILITY
We take steps to ensure that our program is not only needed, but is also sustainable. The Foundation positions itself to exist for the long term. Partnerships are created with extensive analysis, and we are committed to strengthening each one until CF stands for Cure Found.

ACCOUNTABILITY
We are governed by a volunteer board of directors, all of whom have a direct connection to cystic fibrosis and chaired by Matt McCloskey, 55 and living with CF.

TRANSPARENCY
The Take A Breather Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit charitable foundation formed in 2012. Our IRS 990 Filings can be found in our public filing on Guidestar.