Cystic Fibrosis Patient Goes The Distance

CBS Evening News: Runner Cris Dopher Struggled To Breathe, But Ran The NYC Marathon

(CBS)  The New York City marathon is 37-year-old Cris Dopher's Mount Everest.

It's even more remarkable considering Dopher's lung capacity is 30 percent less than normal.

"Maybe my body isn't built for marathon distances," Dopher told CBS News contributor Dr. Sanjay Gupta. "But to me, I need a goal."

So while he's often forced to walk to catch his breath, he's determined to train.

"It feels really good at those moments just to be able to run free," he said.

Dopher was just 4-years-old when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease defined by a steady decline in lung function.

"Most cystic fibrosis patients were kids," he said. "And would die as kids."

In fact, when Dopher had a breathing attack in college, he could only find a pediatrician to treat him.

"Adult clinics were few and far between," he said. "There just weren't enough adults."

That's because most patients died before they reached adulthood.

From the 1950s to 1980s kids diagnosed with cystic fibrosis barely made it out of their teens. Now, the average life expectancy is 37.

Key reason why? Experimental drugs that don't just treat infection and inflammation, but target the disease itself.

They catch the disease early on and prevent or significantly delay lung disease. These drugs are very promising.

Exercise is another reason Dopher is still alive. Now he's on course to run his second marathon with one goal.

"Finish," he said. "It's going to be a tough race."

On marathon day, Dopher was struggling, walking much of the way. By mile 23, he was forcing himself to keep going.

After 5 hours, 50 minutes and 12 seconds, he crossed the finish line, revived by memories of friends who'd lost their fight to CF.

"In the last 8 miles I tried to remember it's more about them than me," Dopher said.

Eventually, Dopher will need a lung transplant. He knows his next five or 10 years may be his last - but he's not giving up.

"After finishing New York, I just ... I could do that in less time, I really do!" he said.

Still, he's grateful for every breath it took to cross the finish line.

[jacdavenport]

I Want to thank Katie and the doctor for this great inspirational story I am a mom of a child with cf that is 14 yrs old I myself have ran a marathon and know how hard it can be on a person.Its good to know that maybe someday my son and i could run a marathon together.What an amazing accomplishment for Cris!! Go Cris!!

[bluestar953]

Thank you CBS for the story on cystic fibrosis. My son is 17 and thanks to his wonderful doctor and my sons excellent care he is doing great. He rode bikes approx. 25-100 miles a week and was a member of his high schools cross country team. I think of him as inspiration to others with cystic fibrosis that proper treatments and doing all the treatments and taking their medications does help in their overall health.

[bluestar953]

Thank you CBS for the story on cystic fibrosis. My son is 17 and thanks to his wonderful doctor and my sons excellent care he is doing great. He rode bikes approx. 25-100 miles a week and was a member of his high schools cross country team. I think of him as inspiration to others with cystic fibrosis that proper treatments and doing all the treatments and taking their medications does help in their overall health

[cflifestyle]

Go Chris!! That is awesome! I am 32 with CF and completely agree with Chris'' attitude toward the paramount importance of exercise in managing CF. The CF Foundation has provided such tremendous strides in my lifetime, and the Boomer Esiason Foundation has also done such great work on supporting reseach, education and lives of those with CF. In dedicating my own life to helping others with CF, I have started the CF Lifestyle Foundation to provide recreation grants to adolescents and young adults to help encourage the importance of healthy and active lifestyles. Check us out at CFLF.org for more info. Brian

[stacey652]

Thank you CBS and Katie Couric for the story on Cystic Fibrosis. Bringing this into the public will make people aware of this disease and that is what we need for a cure. I am a mother of a child with CF and am a firm beliver that a cure is very close.

[carol4christ]

I was born with CF 51 years ago and I gave birth to twins 23 years ago. I have been going to a Children''s hospital, but should be hospitalized in adult hospital for my next hospitalization! So many advances have taken place over the years! What an encouraging story about Chris! It is great to get the word out how some of us are surviving CF!

[skmccoy]

Wonderful story on Chris who is a huge inspiration to many with CF. The fight for a cure is far from over. We lost our beloved daughter Heather, who had cf, last year, at the age of 25. Keep giving to the cystic fibrosis foundation, help us find a cure...

[pamela0071]

Congratulations to CBS, Katie and Dr. Gupta for this awe- inspiring story. As a Cf Volunteer for more than 30 years, running a Marathon wasn''t an option in the 70''s. Our goal then was to get kids with CF into grade school.
Thanks to coverage and education like this story our fund raising efforts to maintain research in hopes of finding a CURE as well as presenting a better quality of life for Cf patients is becoming a reality.
Life is to precious to accept 37 years old as a goal for young CF adults. With the help of each community and contributions to CF we will soon see this disease as a thing of the past! Please stay with us and support us until that day!

[prollings]

As a CF aunt and volunteer, it is terrific to see Katie Couric showcasing Cris''s amazing story. What people may not appreciate even if they''ve heard of CF or see this story is that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation stands out as a shining example among organizations of its type in funding new drug and therapy development and improving patient care, for an "orphan" disease that would not otherwise get funding. Research supported by the Foundation has achieved breakthroughs benefiting lots of diseases, not just CF, since CF affects so many of the body''s organs with many different treatments needed to keep the disease at bay. Please contribute whatever you can so we can keep this research going and get to a cure, which is tantalizingly close!

[prollings]

As a CF aunt and volunteer, it is terrific to see Katie Couric showcasing Cris''s amazing story. What people may not appreciate even if they''ve heard of CF or see this story is that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation stands out as a shining example among organizations of its type in funding new drug and therapy development and improving patient care, for an "orphan" disease that would not otherwise get funding. Research supported by the Foundation has achieved breakthroughs benefiting lots of diseases, not just CF, since CF affects so many of the body''s organs with many different treatments needed to keep the disease at bay. Please contribute whatever you can so we can keep this research going and get to a cure, which is tantalizingly close!

[cf2girlz]

It was wonderful to see Cris'' story. Thank you CBS for getting more people to understand cystic fibrosis. Not alot of people do. I have two daughters who have CF and are doing well. I continue to pray for a cure each day. Having more coverage on cystic fibrosis may help make more advancements because more people may contribute to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.-- a CF mom

[woutally]

shazie81 - I am a 26 year old woman with CF who grew up going to Doernbecher. There is definitely hope for us with CF. While my lungs are no longer healthy enough to run a marathon, my life is far fuller than what could be imagined for a CF patient when I was diagnosed at 6 months. I''m married, a college graduate, earned my teaching licence, own a home, and live a very full life. I can''t imagine what a world will be open for your child :).

http://talanaf.blogspot.com

[kobrin2-2009]

I am 34 years old with CF. I had a liver transplant and now up for a kidney transplant. I am currently on diaylsis treatments too. The story you did was good and inspiring for us. It may me see that there is hope for us. I am different my lungs are going bad but my others organs are worst. CF does hit other organs besides lungs. If anyone would like to know my story they can contact me.

[shazie81]

It''s great to hear that Cystic Fibrosis is getting some news coverage. My 8 month old son has CF and he was diagnosed with CF when he was almost a month old. When he was 2 months he was hospitalized for 10 days up at Doernbecher''s Childrens Hospital for a lung infection that oral antibiotics just weren%u2019t helping. But now he is doing great and is healthier then ever. I just wanted to thank you for the coverage because there are a lot of people that don''t even know or understand what CF really is. Thank you

[skimballmas]

Oh my gosh! What a story. However, my cousin''s daughter, who is now in her 30''s is having a baby. She was born with CF and had very little life expectancy, in the beginning. She has beat all of odds and is healthy and happy, though continues her fight against CF. I think you should consider a story about her.

[mckinne5]

Katie Couric''s interview with Cris Dopher and Dr. Gupta was brilliant. Please put the video of it on your web page.
A CFer''s grandpa. (and carrier).