KCFPF
About Us
The Kansas City Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis (KCFPF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and other rare lung diseases through education, technology, and research.
Our Start
Founded in 2018 by Mark Hamblin, MD, The Kansas City Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis is a group of local medical professionals and patient advocates working to improve the lives of patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis in the Kansas City area.
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"I started The Kansas City Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis because there are currently gaps in funding for this disease. While there is significant attention placed on drug development and better understanding of the causes and mechanisms leading to the development of pulmonary fibrosis, there is very little support directed at early detection or education for patients and caregivers.
I wanted to create an organization that would focus on addressing the needs of the pulmonary fibrosis community here in the Greater Kansas City area. The Foundation will explore ways to improve the care and quality of life of patients with the various forms of PF. This may include reducing barriers that impede early detection, exploring new imaging or diagnostic strategies to accurately diagnose early stage disease, supporting efforts to increase awareness and education of pulmonary fibrosis.
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One of my hopes is to be able to provide annual travel grants to patients and caregivers who wish to attend national pulmonary fibrosis meetings so their voices can be heard at the highest levels. Better understanding the science of the disease is critical, but so is meeting the needs of people living with PF and improving their quality of life in whatever way we can. Meeting that part of our mission will require input from our readers to make this organization as meaningful as possible.
– Mark Hamblin, MD
Board of Directors and Officers
Dr. Mark Hamblin - Founder & President Pulmonary Physician
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Kristy Delaney - Vice-President APRN, MSN, BSN
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Barbara Grubb - Secretary Patient Advocate
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Jamie Ludwig - Treasurer BSN, RN
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Janell Reichuber BSN, RN
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Dawnie Ellison CRT, BS
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Marty Postlethwait Founder of Shadow Buddies
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Bert W. Maidment Ph.D. Patient Advocate
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