Cystic fibrosis (CF) has been perplexing doctors and scientists since the 1700s. By the time Joey O’Donnell was born in 1974, the limited knowledge of the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease gave patients with CF a life expectancy of only about 10 years. Although Joey’s battle with CF was never an easy one, he surprised everyone by surviving 12 years.

In November of 1986 in their son’s memory, Joe and Kathy O’Donnell created the Joey Fund as an independent financial reserve that works in conjunction with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The partnership has since raised over $35,000,000 to provide financial support for CF patients and research toward a cure. Today, thanks to the work of the Foundation and its partners, a broader understanding of the disease state, and advances in treatments, war is now being waged against CF on cellular and genetic levels, and the life expectancy for patients with CF has risen to almost 40 years. Still, the need to find a cure remains urgent.

On December 23, 2009, Joey’s father, Joseph J. O’Donnell, will appear on WCVB’s “Chronicle” series, which will be focusing on charities making a measurable impact to society. Joe is slated to discuss the milestones achieved to date by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the fundraising from his son’s namesake film premiere, which recently featured “The Blind Side,” starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates.

As in years past, Sabre Imagery was proud to assist in the production of the annual Joey O’Donnell Film Premiere. For this year’s 25th anniversary celebration, Sabre provided the branding for the event across a variety of media. Sabre also created the invitation and signage, including two 8’x16’ banners, 25 posters marking each year’s featured film and of the milestones achieved by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Commemorating the 25th anniversary, Sabre also put together a 2-minute promotional movie trailer which was shown before the feature film.

For more information on the Joey Fund or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit www.joeyfund.org or www.cff.org.

Summer is in full swing, but mark your calendars – The 25th Annual Joey O’Donnell Film Premiere is right around the corner! Sabre is helping The Joey Fund design invitations for this November’s big 25th anniversary movie event. The Joey Fund, in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), was created in 1986 in honor of Joey O’Donnell, a courageous boy who fell victim to the disease at age 12. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. The Joey Fund raises money for research and also helps New England cystic fibrosis patients in times of extreme sickness. Come join CFF and The Joey Fund at the film premiere on November 15th at the Atrium Mall in Chestnut Hill to celebrate The Joey Fund’s 25th anniversary! For more information about The Joey Fund and CFF, please visit www.joeyfund.org or www.cff.org.