Joe Nichols Fan Club Partners With CPF to Create Memorial Gift in Nichols' Father's Name

Joe Nichols Fan Club Partners With CPF to Create Memorial Gift in Nichols' Father's Name

'Mike Nichols Fund of Hope' to Raise Research Funding for Disease that Claimed Country Stars' Father's Life

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Joe Nichols Fan Club and The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) today announced the establishment of the Mike Nichols Fund of Hope in an effort to raise awareness and research funding for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), the deadly lung disease that claimed the life of Mike Nichols, father of country music star Joe Nichols. In a private meeting at his annual fan club party at the Nashville Palace on Thursday, Nichols gave a plea for others across the country to contribute to the fund, and help others fighting IPF.

"I am honored that my fans would create a fund to remember my father and to help fund much needed research into IPF. It is my hope that others will join the cause and this fund will grow to pave the way for a cure for this devastating disease," said Joe Nichols.

Mike Nichols, Joe Nichols' father, died in July 2002 at the age of 46 from IPF, a progressive and ultimately fatal lung disease that causes scars to form on the lungs and hinders the lungs' ability to provide oxygen to the rest of the body. There is currently no known cause, treatment, or cure for IPF.

"We, the fans, decided to donate to the CPF in memory of Joe's father as this year's gift to Joe. However, after hearing from others who have also been affected by this devastating disease, we decided to create The Mike Nichols Fund of Hope. This living memorial will continue to receive donations year round and be a gift that provides hope to thousands of patients diagnosed with IPF," said Marilyn Wigglesworth of the Joe Nichols Fan Club.

"We are so pleased Mr. Nichols' fans want to honor him by creating a fund in his father's name. So many families have lost someone they love to IPF. This kind of heartfelt support will benefit not only those patients living with IPF, but also those that will be diagnosed in the future," said Mark Shreve, CEO of the CPF.

This fund will help the CPF accelerate critical research into new approaches to understand and treat IPF, while funding CPF programs and services for patients and families nationwide. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the CPF for the Mike Nichols Fund of Hope by check or money order, please write "Joe Nichols" in the memo line of the check. Please note that all contributions must be made in U.S. dollars.

Mailing Address:
Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Suite F, # 227
1659 Branham Lane
San Jose, CA 95118-5226

For online donations, go to:

http://www.coalitionforpf.org/nichols/ For more information on the Mike Nichols Fund of Hope and the Joe Nichols Fan Club, visit http://www.joenichols.com/.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

IPF 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 IPF, which is the most prevalent of a classification of lung disorders known as interstitial lung diseases (ILD's). There is currently no known cause or cure for IPF, nor is there an FDA-approved treatment. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. IPF is difficult to diagnose, and an estimated two- thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.

About the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 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 pulmonary fibrosis; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of IPF issues; and works to improve awareness of IPF 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 11,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with pulmonary fibrosis. For more information please visit http://www.coalitionforpf.org/ or call (888) 222-8541.

Source: Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

CONTACT: Teresa Geiger of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis,
+1-888-222-8541, ext. 702, cell (preferred): +1-303-521-4080,
tgeiger@coalitionforpf.org; or Hannah Sanford, +1-615-770-2622,
Hannah@lytlemgmt.com, for the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Web site:

http://www.coalitionforpf.org/
http://www.joenichols.com/

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