About Us

Mission Statement

The Jan and Jeffrey Thompson Foundation is a not-for-profit organization striving to raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis research and promote organ donation, while also providing support services and scholarships to those fighting cystic fibrosis.

  Goals of the Foundation

  1. Provide one academic scholarship each year to an individual with cystic fibrosis who resides in Illinois, Missouri or Arizona to be utilized to attend a two- or four-year community college, university, and/or trade school.
  2. Raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation specifically the Gateway Chapter in St. Louis, Missouri.
  3. Provide assistance and support for those individuals with cystic fibrosis and/or those awaiting or recipients of lung transplantation.
  4. Collaborate with local animal rescue, Care STL,  to provide healthy and safe visits to people with cystic fibrosis staying at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Board members

  • Danielle Doerfler, Missouri-President
  • Karli Newman, Arizona-Secretary
  • Mark Thompson, Illinois-Treasurer
  • Breanne Pelker, Missouri
  • Dr. Chad Alan Witt, Missouri

What is Cystic Fibrosis

  • Over 30,000 people currently live in the US with cystic fibrosis.
  • Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects primarily the respiratory and digestive system of individuals. It is a progressive disease that limits the ability to breathe over time and is marked by a mucus production that clogs the airways and traps germs into the respiratory system. This leads to high risks of infections, inflammation, and respiratory failure. Within the digestive system the buildup of mucus prevents the body from absorbing nutrients, blocks the bile duct, and ultimately can cause liver failure.
  • Currently about 75% of the diagnosis for cystic fibrosis occur before the age of 2 through prenatal screening. People with cystic fibrosis have inherited two copies of the defective cystic fibrosis gene, one copy from each parent. On average there are 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis diagnosed each year.
  • Because it is such a complex disease with different symptoms for each person, individuals with cystic fibrosis often face a life of varying treatment plans, periods of high functioning health, and also extended hospital stays. Their lives often include expensive medicines, issues with insurance coverage, and always precautions for germ exposure. Because of all of this:
    • 28% of individuals with cystic fibrosis report depression and anxiety
    • 35% develop cystic fibrosis related diabetes
    • 1 in 6 have a lung transplant by the age of 40

The work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations continue to add years and quality of life to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis. Many are thriving but need support, care, and motivation to face the adversity of life with cystic fibrosis. The Jan and Jeffrey Thompson Foundation strives to impact these three areas while honoring Jan and Jeffrey through this important work.

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