Paul Drury is 42 years old with cystic fibrosis and is post-lung and -kidney transplant. Paul is happily married, working for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Connecticut Chapter), a mentor to the CF community, and LIVING, BREATHING and SUCCEEDING on a daily basis. 24/7 for the CF community is what Paul Drury is all about. Not only does he live with the disease; Paul works for the CFF in fundraising and speaks to many people with CF on a daily basis.

• Paul was born in Chicago - one of six children - and was diagnosed at age two due to “failure to thrive." He grew up in Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut.
• “Growing up with CF was a very private matter, and I jumped into the world of CF post-transplant," Paul says.
• Paul believes “working for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation lets me give back to others and have a major impact on their life by giving them HOPE. It makes me feel good."
• Paul gives back at the CFF by doing fundraising for a cure and by speaking at events to raise awareness. He speaks to families and patients on a daily basis. “ I am like the poster adult for the CF community," he says.
• Paul also is an artist and “gives back” by doing paintings (pointillism) for various CF events.
• Paul’s biggest challenge on a daily basis: “Staying healthy.”
• Paul’s advice: “Do your meds, exercise, nutrition ... and sometimes laughter is the best medicine."

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is the 10th in a series of of 12 made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Gunnar Esiason, a 17-year-old with cystic fibrosis, is a high school senior. Gunnar is actively involved in sports, being compliant, gearing up for college, and a team player in all aspects of his life.

• Gunnar was diagnosed at age two and lives on Long Island with his family.
• “CF has obviously shaped my life but does not get in the way of my being a normal teenager,” Gunnar says.
• Like an athlete in team sports, Gunnar has a team of doctors and health care providers to make sure he is on top of his game.
• “My CF team consists of my physician, dietician, nurse, respiratory therapist, social worker, and sometimes specialist in other areas as CF affects other parts of the body,” he explains.
• “Besides my medical team, my family and friends are also a big part of my team. The more they know about me, the better they can help, and I can win the battle with CF."
• Gunnar believes that being honest and truthful with your team is the key to succeeding in life and with cystic fibrosis.
• Gunnar’s advice to others with CF: “Always communicate with your CF team. The more info you can give, the more your team can help you maintain good health, especially as you become more independent and move on to college.”

This podcast was made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from EURAND to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.