Costa Rica News – Every hobby can be used to help people in some way. The Redbone Celebrity Fishing Tournament is a perfect example. The company hosts tournaments in 4 countries to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis research. To date, it has made over $15 million Dollars for this cause!
Since 1984 when doctors discovered their newborn daughter Nicole had the genetic disease that slowly cripples the lungs and other organ functions, Ellis, a flats guide in the Florida Keys, with his wife Susan began volunteering for a wide range of CF fundraisers in South Fla. At the urging of the late baseball hall of famer Ted Williams then a Keys resident, the Ellis’s began the Redbone Celebrity Tournament to raise money for research with celebrity friends, anglers and guides that Williams attracted.
The CF Foundation recently released a statement that there has been a breakthrough in finding the cure. The FDA approved a pill that can control CF in some patients with the life threatening disease. This year you can be part of the answer by participating or donating at the 25th annual Costa Rica’s Crocodile Bay Osa Classic in the Osa Peninsula from April 6-11, 2013.
Researchers think that in a few short years there may be a cure for a broader population of patients. The group of people who started this event now have seen a result, a cure, for a disease which back in 1984 would have taken a life before the teen years. Thanks to the generous donations the research has helped to increase the life expectancy to the late 30’s.
The Redbone is unique as the non-profit also features the Redbone Gallery housing the largest collection of saltwater fishing art in Florida. Since the first tournaments, artwork by internationally known painters and sculptors has been awarded to winners of the tournaments.
Hopefully in the next decade CF will mean Cure Found instead of Cystic Fibrosis. For more info on Redbone events call Gary or Susan Ellis at 305-664-2002 or email [email protected].
