Hollywood Takes Notice of Little Known Deadly Lung Disease

Hollywood Takes Notice of Little Known Deadly Lung Disease

Recent Deaths of Well-Known Celebrities, Hit TV Shows Help Spread the Word About Pulmonary Fibrosis

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As many people die each year of pulmonary fibrosis as of breast cancer, yet the disease is vastly unknown. Due to the recent deaths to the disease of high profile celebrities such as Evel Knievel and Robert Goulet, Hollywood is beginning to take notice and hit TV shows are spreading the word, as well.

HBO's Thursday night hit new show, Autopsy, focused on pulmonary fibrosis in last night's episode by telling the real-life story of a 9/11 responder named Frank Maisano, a New York City police officer forced to take early retirement, who is dying from the deadly, incurable lung disease. Cases of pulmonary fibrosis have been diagnosed amongst 9/11 workers including in James Zadroga, a first responder who died in 2006 from the disease.

The recent controversial Michael Moore film, Sicko, featured pulmonary fibrosis patients including Vito Valenti, a 9/11 responder and CPF volunteer and advocate.

Other hit but fictional TV shows have featured pulmonary fibrosis in their plots in recent months. Fox TV's House medical drama aired two shows last season that included pulmonary fibrosis diagnoses or suspicions. TNT's Heartland medical drama features actor Dabney Coleman whose character suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and uses supplemental oxygen in the series.

"When Hollywood takes notice of something and celebrities are associated with a cause, things really start to happen," said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. "We are thankful for the work being done in TV and film to raise awareness and increase interest in pulmonary fibrosis. It is this kind of interest, as with AIDS and breast cancer, that takes a disease from terminal to treatable."

Pulmonary Fibrosis 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 and 40,000 will die this year.

Other Hollywood celebrities to die from pulmonary fibrosis include actors Marlon Brando, James Doohan (Scotty of Star Trek) and Gordon Jump (Maytag Repairman, WKRP in Cincinnati). Jaws author Peter Benchley also died from the disease.

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 (ILDs). 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 15,000 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.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

CONTACT: Teresa Geiger of Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis,
+1-303-521-4080, tgeiger@coalitionforpf.org

Web Site:

http://www.coalitionforpf.org/

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