Impact of the Foundation
Helping Carolinians with CF
The Filotimo Foundation provides vital resources to adults living with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the Carolinas, helping them manage their condition and lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Medical and Hardship Assistance
We offer financial support to help adults with CF access essential medications, cover hospital bills, medical fees, and purchase equipment not covered by insurance. We also assist with transportation, food, and lodging costs associated with hospital stays or medical appointments. During times of financial hardship, we provide aid for necessary household expenses, such as rent and utilities.
Fertility and Adoption Assistance
With our partner, Atlantic Reproductive Medicine Specialists, we provide financial assistance for fertility treatments, including IVF and sperm retrieval, as well as adoption-related expenses for adults with CF.
Our Progress
Since our inception in 2022, we have proudly provided over $250,000 in direct assistance, empowering adults living with CF to access vital medical care, manage their health, and enhance their quality of life. These individuals face numerous challenges that affect their physical and emotional well-being.
Managing Complex Medical Care
CF patients often require daily treatments and may find themselves navigating frequent infections and hospital stays. Some may eventually need lung transplants, a complex and high-risk procedure with lifelong implications.
Maintaining Employment
It can be hard for adults living with CF to maintain full-time employment due to their health needs, frequent medical appointments, and hospitalizations. In areas with limited access to CF care centers, some adults may also have to travel long distances for care.
Starting A Family
Many adults with CF face difficult decisions regarding having children, as the condition is hereditary. Additionally, most men with CF are infertile (but not sterile) and women with CF may experience reproductive health issues associated with the disease.
Covering Costs
The high costs of necessary care – including medications, hospital visits, transplants, and fertility support – can be a significant financial burden for CF patients, even with insurance coverage.
Navigating Mental Health Needs
The chronic nature of CF and its impact on daily life can lead to depression and anxiety, which may be exacerbated by uncertainty about the progression of one’s disease and its impact on career, finances, and family planning.
Testimonials
My wife and I are extremely fortunate to be supported by The Filotimo Foundation through our IVF journey. Filotimo is offering us an opportunity we have dreamed of and been a delight to work with. We are so thankful for everything this foundation stands for.
My name is Bethany, and I would like to share how Pete and his team have been such a blessing to my family this past year.
As most of us know, the economy has had a negative impact on many of us, including my family. While my husband works a full-time job, I am primarily a stay-at-home mom living with cystic fibrosis (CF), which feels like a full-time job in itself. This past year, we encountered several instances where we struggled to make ends meet. After learning about Pete and his team, I reached out to see if there was any way they could lend us a hand.
To my amazement, Pete responded quickly and graciously. Without hesitation, he asked what we needed and went above and beyond what we had even hoped for.
The relief they provided was immense, coming at a time when we didn’t know what we were going to do. This generosity means more to my family than words can express.
I can’t emphasize enough how much we appreciate this foundation and the lasting impact it has had on our lives. Please consider being a part of this incredible mission. CF families have been so blessed by Pete’s kindness, and we will continue to sing his praises.
I am writing to share my recent experience with the Filotimo Foundation. My CF care team at UNC Chapel Hill introduced me to this organization when my 10-year-old IPV home treatment device stopped working. Mucus clearance is essential for my health, and my IPV device allows me to inhale medication while receiving respiratory therapy twice a day. When it broke, my care team was concerned about the insurance approval delay, which could take months or be denied. They suggested I reach out to the Filotimo Foundation for assistance.
After submitting my application, the foundation quickly stepped in, ordering a new IPV device from Sentec and covering the cost above their typical annual support limit due to the urgency of my situation. They even provided special nebulizer cups compatible with the machine. I am deeply grateful for their support and dedication to ensuring my health needs were met. The Filotimo Foundation’s compassion, perseverance, and work ethic make them truly special. I will continue to advocate for them as a CF patient in North Carolina. Thank you, Filotimo, for everything you do.
My wife and I are beyond grateful for the Filotimo Foundation’s assistance with our IVF costs. Because of my cystic fibrosis, we can’t conceive naturally, and the financial burden of IVF was overwhelming. The foundation’s grant relieved a significant part of that burden, allowing us to focus on the process rather than the cost. Pete and the team were incredibly supportive, guiding us through every step and making the experience far smoother than we anticipated. Their compassion and support made all the difference, and we cannot thank the Filotimo Foundation enough for helping us on our journey to starting a family.
I wanted to express my gratitude for the Filotimo Foundation’s assistance in purchasing a HEPA filter for our son, who has cystic fibrosis. After a severe case of pneumonia, his doctor recommended getting a HEPA filter, but we found the larger units were quite expensive. Our CF care team suggested contacting the Filotimo Foundation, which quickly responded and confirmed they could help cover part of the cost. The foundation has been a blessing to our family, making life a little easier as we care for a loved one with CF. Thank you again for all your help.
Hello, everyone. The Filotimo Foundation has helped me in countless ways when I’ve struggled. They have covered many of my bills throughout the year. There was one month when I was faced with a tough decision between paying a bill or buying food. My CF team recommended the Filotimo Foundation, so I filled out the online form and submitted it. The response was quick, and once I received confirmation that they would help with my bill, I was able to purchase food. This foundation is easy to work with, and the people are incredibly kind and supportive. They have truly made my life easier, lifting a weight off my shoulders. Thank you so much for all of your help.
