"More than 30,000 children and adults in the United States suffer from cystic fibrosis, and we are honored to host an annual Halloween ball that funds medical research allowing them to live longer, healthier lives," said Michael Shumard, executive director, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Southern California chapter. "The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has driven and supported all major medical advances to provide the means to cure and control the disease. Because of funds raised at these events, progress continues by bringing lifesaving drugs such as Kalydeco and this year's FDA approval of the TOBI Podhaler inhaler device to market."

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leading organization behind the pursuit of a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited chronic disease that severely affects the lungs and digestive system of children and adults. It is through the dedication and support of patients, families, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, individual donors, corporations and staff, that the organization furthers advancements in medical treatments.

"Beyond Breathing" Author Featured SpeakerMargarete Cassalina will be the evening's guest speaker. As the mother of two children that inherited cystic fibrosis genes, Cassalina has been a volunteer with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 22 years, speaking nationally about her experiences and family's battle with the disease, which she chronicles in her award-winning memoir, "Beyond Breathing." Her daughter, Jena, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at one month of age and passed away when she was 13 years old. With her son Eric also facing CF, Cassalina is very passionate about finding a cure, helping raise millions of dollars to date and donating 65 percent of the net proceeds from her memoir to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The CFF business model is recognized by the Harvard Business School as one of the most effective charity models in the country with 91 cents of every dollar invested in CF research. Since its inception in 2009, the annual Black and Orange Ball has raised $315,000, and it is through the Foundation's tireless efforts that new drugs and treatments make their way to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval. The recent FDA approval of the TOBI Podhaler inhaler device in March of this year gives CF patients the ability to treat a type of bacterial lung infection, and patients have experienced a significant 12.5 percent increase in lung function. The average age of a child living with CF was seven years old when the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was established in 1955; today, due to such advancements, it is 37.

Sponsors of this year's event include The R.J. Noble Company, Boar's Head, Styles for Less and other community supporters. Tickets are $200 per person and $127 is tax deductible. To register for the Black and Orange Ball, visit https://www.cff.org/EventReg/dsp_EventRegistration.cfm?registeringEventid=25871&IdEvent=25871 or to make a donation, visit https://www.cff.org/Chapters/sca/EventDonation/?idEvent=25871. For additional event information, please call the Orange County office of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (714) 938-1393 or contact Cole Jacobson at cjacobson@cff.org.

About the Cystic Fibrosis FoundationThe Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, go to http://www.cff.org.