The CPF's second annual B.I.G. (Breathing is Glorious!) fundraising event, held in Chicago, Ill. on October 21, 2006, raised more than $250,000! The gala was hosted at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel in beautiful downtown Chicago, and was attended by more than 350 supporters.

The CPF is grateful to each and every supporter for their commitment to helping those affected by IPF. Click Here to View the Event's Supporters!

Click Here to View the Event's Tribute Book

Click Here to View the Event's Auction Book

A percentage of event proceeds will be directed back to the University of Chicago to improve the quality of care provided to IPF patients in the metropolitan Chicago area, and fund research to identify new approaches to treating the disease currently underway at the clinic. The funds will also be used to further the education, awareness, and research efforts of the CPF.

"This year's event was incredibly successful," said Mark Shreve, chief executive officer of the CPF. "We are grateful to all of those who supported the event, and we're especially grateful to once again join forces with the University of Chicago to form a successful partnership. The generosity and support of all those involved in the B.I.G. Ball reinforce our longstanding belief that finding a treatment and cure for IPF is only going to happen by working together."

CPF Announces 2006 National Award Recipients
Illinois Senator Richard Durbin served as Honorary Chairman for the event. The CPF also presented its 2006 national awards at each B.I.G. event. Trey Schwab, former Marquette University assistant basketball coach and lung transplant survivor, was the recipient of the Frank Cabral Humanitarian Award, recognizing his efforts to significantly improve awareness of IPF through his work as an advocate and transplant coordinator at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (Click Here to learn more about Trey). Talmadge E. King, Jr., M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco was awarded the Marvin I. Schwarz Research Award recognizing his commitment to improving the quality of life for those living with IPF through his compassionate patient care, education and support, while leading research efforts to find a cure for IPF. (Click here to learn more about Dr. King's work) In recognition of his career's work, Dr. King was awarded a $15,000 gift to accelerate research efforts underway at UCSF in pulmonary fibrosis.

Jack Hurley, an IPF patient from Chicago also gave a heart-felt presentation on his experiences living with IPF. Hurley received a life-saving lung transplant in June 2005.

Guests at the gala enjoyed an evening of fine dining, live and silent auctions, music and entertainment. The signature item of the live auction was a private, guided tour by Jay Leno of his world-class car collection, which auctioned for $26,000. Ski trip packages to Breckenridge, Colorado, fine art, custom made jewelry, and private yacht cruises on Lake Michigan also highlighted the auction. Overall, more than 100 items were auctioned off, raising more than $90,000.

The event provided a fun and elegant atmosphere for guests to mingle with their Chicago friends and share their commitment to furthering this important cause. At the same time, they celebrated the event's huge success and the hope it gives to thousands of patients around the country suffering from IPF and the physicians who treat them. To learn more about future fundraising activities of the CPF, please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call 888-222-8541.