The Mission

The Rock CF Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization based in southeastern Michigan. Founded and led by Emily Schaller, the Rock CF Foundation is dedicated to increasing the quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis. With the help of a core group of volunteers, the Foundation utilizes the arts, entertainment, fashion, and fitness to support research initiatives and heighten public awareness in the fight against cystic fibrosis. The cornerstone event of Rock CF is the Rivers Half Marathon and 5k Run/Walk held annually in March on the island city of Grosse Ile.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes the body to produce thick and sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and pancreas making it hard for patients to breathe and absorb nutrients from the food they eat. This thick mucus causes recurring lung infections, loss of lung function and eventually premature death. Life expectancy for patients with CF is 37 years old. When coupled with the proper treatments for CF, exercise and running has been show to help maintain lung function in CF patients. Please visit www.cff.org for more information about cystic fibrosis.

Meet Emily, Rock CF Founder

Emily Schaller has dedicated her life to spreading awareness of cystic fibrosis, since the inception of Rock CF. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was 18 months old. EmilyDoctors then told her parents she would not live long enough to graduate from high school. Her parents knew then that this would not be the case. They kept Emily active from then on while also keeping an amazingly positive attitude. Because of the tireless work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, life enhancing drugs and treatments have helped her become the 30 year old runner, biker and CF spokesperson and motivator that she is today. She started running half marathon’s in 2008 and saw her lung function improve to numbers she hadn’t seen in years and realized she has never felt better. Emily is out-running cystic fibrosis and is looking your help! With many programs, merchandise, and her ability to reach audiences, Emily is an amazing person to bring oftentimes unaware students into the fight for development of research in this field. Watch this clip to get to know her a bit better!

Programs of Rock CF

Using a variety of methods, Rock CF tries to reach different audiences with their different programs and offerings. Here's a sampling of some of the ones that you may want to know for your organizations:

• Rivers Half Marathon and Run/Walk: www.outruncf.com. A half marathon, half relay, and 5k run/walk around the city of Grosse Ile, MI.
• Rock CF Gear: rockcf.storenvy.com.There is TONS of awesome gear that you will be STYLING should you show up to school wearing. Some of the shirts are even available for purchase as fundraisers for spirit of charity weeks. For special orders contact Emily directly at emily@letsrockcf.org. Some schools have already begun this process of getting their school inspired AND lookin' good at the same time!
• Rock CF Rocks Back!: www.letsrockcf.org. Keeping the airways clear is a crucial daily activity for people living with CF. It is proven that airway clearance from playing a wind instrument helps to preserve lung function. Drumming could also provide exercise benefits as well. Aside from helping to improve or maintain lung function, there are countless other benefits of playing music. Time managements skills, boosted social skills and promoting happiness are only a few. Fostering self-expression and relieving stress is especially important for someone living with a chronic disorder such as cystic fibrosis. If the Rock CF Rocks Back programs can help CF patients maintain lung function, feel like “everyone else” for a few hours a weeks or help them cope with any disease related stress or anxiety, we will be accomplishing our goal of improving the quality of life for patients living with cystic fibrosis. The Rock CF Foundation’s Rocks Back Program will provide percussion and wind instruments and lessons or resources/programs to patients living with cystic fibrosis in the United States.

The Specifics

This cause is definitely high-energy, and we are excited to hear about the things that you do to raise money for the 2012-2013 Charity of the Year! If you have an event or activity that others may need to hear about, be sure to fill out our online IDEA FORM, or let us know at the office by sending an email to todd@mascmahs.org Charity donations that will be counted towards the MASC/MAHS Star School Award or to be considered for the MASC/MAHS Tonya Charity Award must be RECEIVED by Rock CF no later than Friday, March 15, 2013.(Please note: Applications for these awards may be due PRIOR to this deadline, however, this is the date that donations must be in to the charity office. All charity donations MUST be accompanied by the MASC/MAHS Donation Form to be considered for award programs.. Donations that schools continue to collect past the deadline will be accepted and appreciated!

Click here to download a donation form.