May 2025
Embrace Mothers Retreat
Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4, 2025
CFRI’s Embrace Mothers Retreat will take place Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the beautiful Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park, California. The retreat offers art, yoga, writing, CF resources, advocacy, support, drumming, and respite time with women who share the CF path. Whether your child with CF is a baby or an adult, you are warmly encouraged to attend.
Register here for the Embrace Mothers Retreat.
Sponsored to date by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and AbbVie.
Support Group for Adults with a Late CF Diagnosis
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm PT
A discussion and support group for adults with CF who received a late diagnosis. Facilitated by Laura Mentch, EdM, and/or Jean Hanley, MD, both adults with late CF diagnoses.
Register here for the Late Diagnosis Support Group.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Workshop: Inclusive Language in CF Care
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 12:00 pm PT (3:00 pm ET)
This is the second workshop in CFRI’s 2025 quarterly Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) series.
In this session, we will explore the role of inclusive language in CF care. Facilitated by Linda Jenkins, MPAff, of Jenkins Consulting Group, the workshop will highlight how language can significantly influence both patient care and clinical outcomes. Guest speakers Jaelyn Cooper, MHA, and Rachel Alder, adults with CF, will share personal stories about how language has shaped their CF journeys.
This workshop is open to people with CF, their family members and caregivers, as well as CF care team members. A recording of select materials from the workshop will be provided to registrants after the session.
Click here to register for the workshop.
Made possible through grants from AbbVie, Gilead Sciences, ReCode, Genentech, and Viatris.
Conocimiento y Conexión
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5:00 pm PT (8:00 pm ET)
This monthly meeting takes place on the second Wednesday of every month and offers attendees a chance to address the unique issues faced by Hispanic/Latinx individuals and families affected by CF. The group is open to adults with CF as well as family members of adults and children with CF.
The group is held in Spanish and facilitated by Marilyn Calderon, LICSW.
For more information and to register, send an email to CFRI.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Online Support Group for Adults with CF
Monday, May 19, 2025, 5:30 pm PT
CFRI provides a monthly Online Support Group for Adults with CF, 
which is open to participants nationwide. The group is facilitated by Meg Dvorak, LCSW, or Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, CF Social Workers at Stanford.
The group meets on the third Monday of every month, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm PT (8:30 pm – 10:00 pm ET).
Register here for the Support Group for Adults with CF.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
CF Caregivers Support Groups
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
CFRI provides a monthly online CF Caregivers Support Group, which is open to 
participants nationwide. The groups are facilitated by Meg Dvorak, LCSW, or Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, CF Social Workers at Stanford.
Two groups to choose from:
- Parents of children with CF: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PT
- Parents/Spouses/Partners of Adults with CF:
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PT
Register here for the Caregivers Support Group for parents of children with CF.
Register here for the Caregivers Support Group for parents/spouses/partners of adults with CF.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Virtual Support Group for Teens with CF
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET)
This monthly group addresses the unique issues faced by teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 growing up with CF. The peer-to-peer support group is facilitated by Teresa Priestley, MSW, social worker at the Stanford CF Center.
Parents must provide consent for their teenagers to attend.
For more information and to register, send an email to CFRI.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Support Group for Those Unable to Use CFTR Modulators
Thursday, May 22, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
About 10% of people with CF cannot benefit from current CFTR modulators – due to their genetic mutation, side effects of the treatment, or other reasons. Being part of that group poses unique mental health challenges. The group is facilitated by Sonya Haggett, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who has CF.
Register here for this Support Group.
You will only have to register once to attend any meeting.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Post-Transplant Support Group for Adults with CF
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
This support group addresses the unique issues faced by those with CF who have received a double lung transplant and is open to post-transplant CF adults only. The group is facilitated by Sonya Haggett, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who has CF and is a double lung transplant recipient.
Register here for the Transplant Support Group.
You will only have to register once to attend any meeting.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
June 2025
Navigating Grief to Growth – Bereavement Support Group
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm PT
A discussion and support group for those who have lost a loved one to CF, whether recently or in the past. Led by Olin Dodson, MA, the group provides a safe place to engage in focused practices to help experience growth in coping with the loss of a loved one. Each meeting has a different topic but there will also be time for open discussion. Adults and mature teens over age 16 are welcome.
Register here for the Bereavement Support Group.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Support Group for Adults with a Late CF Diagnosis
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm PT
A discussion and support group for adults with CF who received a late diagnosis. Facilitated by Laura Mentch, EdM, and/or Jean Hanley, MD, both adults with late CF diagnoses.
Register here for the Late Diagnosis Support Group.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Workshop: Mindfulness to Cope with Anxiety
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm PT
Mindfulness meditation is known to decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. CFRI is hosting quarterly workshops focused on different aspects of mindfulness and how it can offer positive coping skills for those living with CF. Join this workshop and explore useful mindfulness practices to cope with anxiety related to CF. The workshop will be led by Julie Desch, MD, certified mindfulness instructor and person living with CF and pain. There will be a short practice and room for questions.
Registration coming soon!
Sponsored by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and private donors.
Conocimiento y Conexión
Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 5:00 pm PT (8:00 pm ET)
This monthly meeting takes place on the second Wednesday of every month and offers attendees a chance to address the unique issues faced by Hispanic/Latinx individuals and families affected by CF. The group is open to adults with CF as well as family members of adults and children with CF.
The group is held in Spanish and facilitated by Marilyn Calderon, LICSW.
For more information and to register, send an email to CFRI.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Online Support Group for Adults with CF
Monday, June 16, 2025, 5:30 pm PT
CFRI provides a monthly Online Support Group for Adults with CF, 
which is open to participants nationwide. The group is facilitated by Meg Dvorak, LCSW, or Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, CF Social Workers at Stanford.
The group meets on the third Monday of every month, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm PT (8:30 pm – 10:00 pm ET).
Register here for the Support Group for Adults with CF.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
CF Caregivers Support Groups
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
CFRI provides a monthly online CF Caregivers Support Group, which is open to participants nationwide. The groups are facilitated by Meg Dvorak, LCSW, or Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, CF Social Workers at Stanford.
Two groups to choose from:
- Parents of children with CF: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PT
- Parents/Spouses/Partners of Adults with CF:
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PT
Register here for the Caregivers Support Group for parents of children with CF.
Register here for the Caregivers Support Group for parents/spouses/partners of adults with CF.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Virtual Support Group for Teens with CF
Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET)
This monthly group addresses the unique issues faced by teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 growing up with CF. The peer-to-peer support group is facilitated by Teresa Priestley, MSW, social workers at the Stanford CF Center.
Parents must provide consent for their teenagers to attend.
For more information and to register, send an email to CFRI.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Post-Transplant Support Group for Adults with CF
Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
This support group addresses the unique issues faced by those with CF who have received a double lung transplant and is open to post-transplant CF adults only. The group is facilitated by Sonya Haggett, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who has CF and is a double lung transplant recipient.
Register here for the Transplant Support Group.
You will only have to register once to attend any meeting.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Support Group for Those Unable to Use CFTR Modulators
Thursday, June 26, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
About 10% of people with CF cannot benefit from current CFTR modulators – due to their genetic mutation, side effects of the treatment, or other reasons. Being part of that group poses unique mental health challenges. The group is facilitated by Sonya Haggett, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who has CF.
Register here for this Support Group.
You will only have to register once to attend any meeting.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
July 2025
Navigating Grief to Growth – Bereavement Support Group
Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm PT
A discussion and support group for those who have lost a loved one to CF, whether recently or in the past. Led by Olin Dodson, MA, the group provides a safe place to engage in focused practices to help experience growth in coping with the loss of a loved one. Each meeting has a different topic but there will also be time for open discussion. Adults and mature teens over age 16 are welcome.
Register here for the Bereavement Support Group.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Support Group for Adults with a Late CF Diagnosis
Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm PT
A discussion and support group for adults with CF who received a late diagnosis. Facilitated by Laura Mentch, EdM, and/or Jean Hanley, MD, both adults with late CF diagnoses.
Register here for the Late Diagnosis Support Group.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Conocimiento y Conexión
Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 5:00 pm PT (8:00 pm ET)
This monthly meeting takes place on the second Wednesday of every month and offers attendees a chance to address the unique issues faced by Hispanic/Latinx individuals and families affected by CF. The group is open to adults with CF as well as family members of adults and children with CF.
The group is held in Spanish and facilitated by Marilyn Calderon, LICSW.
For more information and to register, send an email to CFRI.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
CF Caregivers Support Groups
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
CFRI provides a monthly online CF Caregivers Support Group, which is open to participants nationwide. The groups are facilitated by Meg Dvorak, LCSW, or Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, CF Social Workers at Stanford.
Two groups to choose from:
- Parents of children with CF: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PT
- Parents/Spouses/Partners of Adults with CF:
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PT
Register here for the Caregivers Support Group for parents of children with CF.
Register here for the Caregivers Support Group for parents/spouses/partners of adults with CF.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Virtual Support Group for Teens with CF
Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET)
This monthly group addresses the unique issues faced by teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 growing up with CF. The peer-to-peer support group is facilitated by Teresa Priestley, MSW, social worker at the Stanford CF Center.
Parents must provide consent for their teenagers to attend.
For more information and to register, send an email to CFRI.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Online Support Group for Adults with CF
Monday, July 21, 2025, 5:30 pm PT
CFRI provides a monthly Online Support Group for Adults with CF, which is open to participants nationwide. The group is facilitated by Meg Dvorak, LCSW, or Kate Yablonsky, LCSW, CF Social Workers at Stanford.
The group meets on the third Monday of every month, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm PT (8:30 pm – 10:00 pm ET).
Register here for the Support Group for Adults with CF.
Please allow 3-4 hours before the meeting to register. If you registered before, you don’t need to do it again.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Post-Transplant Support Group for Adults with CF
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
This support group addresses the unique issues faced by those with CF who have received a double lung transplant and is open to post-transplant CF adults only. The group is facilitated by Sonya Haggett, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who has CF and is a double lung transplant recipient.
Register here for the Transplant Support Group.
You will only have to register once to attend any meeting.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
Support Group for Those Unable to Use CFTR Modulators
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
About 10% of people with CF cannot benefit from current CFTR modulators – due to their genetic mutation, side effects of the treatment, or other reasons. Being part of that group poses unique mental health challenges. The group is facilitated by Sonya Haggett, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who has CF.
Register here for this Support Group.
You will only have to register once to attend any meeting.
CFRI’s support groups are sponsored to date by Viatris, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, and private donors.
38th National CF Education Conference: A World of Possibility
Friday, July 25, 2025, to Sunday, July 27, 2025
CFRI‘s annual Conference will be held at the boutique Ameswell Hotel in Mountain View, CA, as well as virtually. Topics include CF and cancer, reproductive health, mRNA and gene therapy, and CF and cardiovascular health. In addition to the stellar presentations, exhibitor booths, an “innovations and libations” reception, awards dinner, and dance party make this a full weekend of community connection.
Full registration is $240 (including all presentations, receptions, support groups, and meals). Day rates are available. Registration to attend virtually is free.
For more information, including a draft schedule, click here.
Sponsored to date by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, ReCode Therapeutics, Viatris, and the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
For information or to register for these events, please email cfri@cfri.org or call 650.665.7576.