Finding humor in difficult times can be a powerful coping tool. For people living with CF, it can bring levity to experiences that are often confusing, frustrating, and painful. In this podcast, Mimi Salonen, an adult with CF, shares how pursuing stand-up comedy became both a creative outlet and a way to fulfill a lifelong dream, all while raising awareness about CF and making audiences laugh along the way. 

To see more of Mimi Salonen's content, visit https://mimisalonen.com/. Video content of Mimi's stand-up comedy shows was taken from her Mortified set in Denver and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuIj6b5d_x0&t=905s.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease in the United States. CF impacts people of every race and ethnicity, yet outdated information and inadequate newborn screening programs perpetuate the misconception that CF only impacts people of European descent. CFRI remains steadfast in our commitment to spotlighting and supporting the needs of every person with CF—ensuring that timely diagnoses, supportive care, developing therapies, useful resources, and opportunities for connection are made accessible for all. For more information about CFRI's diversity and inclusion program, visit www.cfri.org/diversity-and-inclusion.

This film was made possible through educational grants provided by Viatris and Genentech.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month—a time to spotlight the increased risk people with CF and CF carriers face when it comes to developing colon cancer. In this podcast, Jennifer Kyle, an adult with CF, shares the moment she learned that malignant polyps had been found in her colon after finally undergoing a routine screening. Urging others to speak with their care teams and get screened early, Jennifer highlights that colonoscopies aren't just boxes to check on a list but are life-saving diagnostic tools. For more information about CF and colon cancer, visit https://curecf.cfri.org/3rkzjuxn.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month—a time to spotlight the increased risk people with CF and CF carriers face when it comes to developing colon cancer. In this podcast, Jennifer Kyle, an adult with CF, shares the moment she learned that malignant polyps had been found in her colon after finally undergoing a routine screening. Urging others to speak with their care teams and get screened early, Jennifer highlights that colonoscopies aren't just boxes to check on a list but are life-saving diagnostic tools. For more information about CF and colon cancer, visit https://curecf.cfri.org/3rkzjuxn.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

People with cystic fibrosis face a significantly increased risk of developing colon cancer. Research shows that people with CF may develop colon cancer 20-30 years earlier than the general population and are 5-10 times more likely to be diagnosed. For those who have undergone a solid organ transplant, the risk dramatically rises up to 25-30 times higher. In this podcast, Gretchen Goble, MD, outlines why people with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk, what early warning signs to look out for, and the latest screening recommendations designed specifically for the CF community. If you are an adult with CF, and have not discussed colon cancer screening with your care team, this conversation could be an important next step. For more information about CF and colon cancer, visit https://curecf.cfri.org/3rkzjuxn.

Dr. Goble is a CFRI 2025 Patrick Nash Fellow, studying the increased presence of comorbidities—such as colon cancer—among people with CF as they age. For more information about CFRI's Patrick Nash Fellows Training Program, visit https://curecf.cfri.org/2p99nuym.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation 

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

People with cystic fibrosis face a significantly increased risk of developing colon cancer. Research shows that people with CF may develop colon cancer 20-30 years earlier than the general population and are 5-10 times more likely to be diagnosed. For those who have undergone a solid organ transplant, the risk dramatically rises up to 25-30 times higher. In this podcast, Gretchen Goble, MD, outlines why people with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk, what early warning signs to look out for, and the latest screening recommendations designed specifically for the CF community. If you are an adult with CF, and have not discussed colon cancer screening with your care team, this conversation could be an important next step. For more information about CF and colon cancer, visit https://curecf.cfri.org/3rkzjuxn.

Dr. Goble is a CFRI 2025 Patrick Nash Fellow, studying the increased presence of comorbidities—such as colon cancer—among people with CF as they age. For more information about CFRI's Patrick Nash Fellows Training Program, visit https://curecf.cfri.org/2p99nuym.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Students with cystic fibrosis may require accommodations on account of their disease or another disability in order to reach their full academic potential. In this podcast, Hannah Pfeiffer, M.Ed. and Rachel Alder, adults with CF, explain the difference between an Individual Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plan. Hannah and Rachel detail how to speak with one's medical team and school to determine which support program is appropriate, and provide example accommodations that may specifically help people with CF.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris.

Students with cystic fibrosis may require accommodations on account of their disease or another disability in order to reach their full academic potential. In this podcast, Hannah Pfeiffer, M.Ed. and Rachel Alder, adults with CF, explain the difference between an Individual Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plan. Hannah and Rachel detail how to speak with one's medical team and school to determine which support program is appropriate, and provide example accommodations that may specifically help people with CF.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

Funding for CF Community Voices 2026 has been provided to date by Viatris.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! Females with cystic fibrosis—especially those who have received a transplant—face an elevated risk of abnormal Pap smears. This increased risk is often related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or cervical dysplasia, which can progress to cervical cancer. In this podcast, Christina Thornton, MD, PhD, FRCPC, discusses risk factors among people with CF for developing HPV and cervical cancer, such as low vaccination rates and the presence of immunosuppressant drugs, recent research studies, and strategies to prevent and diagnose these conditions early. If you have not yet spoken with your CF care team about this elevated risk, consider raising this important topic.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! Females with cystic fibrosis—especially those who have received a transplant—face an elevated risk of abnormal Pap smears. This increased risk is often related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or cervical dysplasia, which can progress to cervical cancer. In this podcast, Christina Thornton, MD, PhD, FRCPC, discusses risk factors among people with CF for developing HPV and cervical cancer, such as low vaccination rates and the presence of immunosuppressant drugs, recent research studies, and strategies to prevent and diagnose these conditions early. If you have not yet spoken with your CF care team about this elevated risk, consider raising this important topic.

Click here to donate to CFRI and support the cystic fibrosis community worldwide: https://cfri.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your thoughts are valuable to us and will help with future podcast planning! Respond to our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPYLX9F, and you’ll be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $25 Etsy gift card. Winners notified by email.