WE TAU TUG FOR ASPEN
Aspen is an 11-year-old child living with cystic fibrosis. He loves hunting, fishing and everything outdoors. Aspen was diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis and was given a life expectancy of 37 years old. In his 10 years of life tremendous progress in research and care has developed because of generous donors like the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Diagnosed at Birth
Aspen was 3 days old when he underwent major surgery due to a jejunoileal atresia, a condition that causes an intestinal obstruction while the baby is in utero. At 10 days old, while still in the hospital, Aspen was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Aspen was in the hospital for 39 days with many CF complications.
Clinic Visits
People with cystic fibrosis go to a CF Clinic every 3 months to check their pulmonary function, weight, growth, and for any kinds of bacteria that could be growing in their throat or lungs. The picture above is when Aspen was learning to conduct a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) that measures lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas, indicating how his lungs are working.
Daily Care
In order for people with cystic fibrosis to remain healthy, they must do 2 hours of lung clearance treatments with a shaking vest, inhaled medications, dozens of pills a day, including every time they eat. The burden of cystic fibrosis is significant. Even while on modulator therapy, the treatments are extensive and require hours of time a week.
GET TO KNOW ASPEN
