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Community Corner

Richard Fusco Foundation Donates First iPad to Cystic Fibrosis Patient

On October 10, 2013 at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Kyle Orben, 8, of Wakefield was the first Cystic Fibrosis patient to receive an iPad donation from the Richard Fusco Foundation. The Richard Fusco Foundation was proud to donate the first iPad to Kyle, hoping to make his hospital stays a little brighter. 


The Fusco family founded the Framingham-based foundation in memory of their son Richard who was born October 3, 1968 with Cystic Fibrosis. Like most CF patients, he was a frequent hospital patient and took a significant amount of medication to stay alive. After Richard received a double lung transplant in his thirties, his life improved until his new lungs began to deteriorate, his diabetes worsened, and his weakened kidneys required him to spend three days a week in dialysis. 

Throughout the highs and lows of his intensive care, Richard amazed his friends and family with a bright, positive attitude. He often counseled younger CF patients, and was a frequent guest speaker. In his last three years, Richard relied heavily on his iPad to communicate with family and friends, watch movies and TV, read, play games, and even video conference to stay connected. This vital new technology dramatically enhanced the last few years of Richard's life. Thus, the Richard Fusco Foundation was created after his passing to help provide the same opportunity to similar CF patients.

With long and frequent visits in the hospital, it is hard for children with CF to keep up with school work. The iPad can make it easier to keep in touch with teachers and classmates. CF children are able to read class assignments, read, and write assignments on their iPad. It is also hard for children with CF who must make frequent doctors office or hospital visits. The iPad can help make these visits more tolerable. Playing games, watching movies, reading, or listening to music can help a child through difficult times away from family. Additionally, having CF can make you feel isolated from your friends, family, and others. The iPad allows CF kids, teens, or adults stay in touch with their world.

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The Richard Fusco Foundation donated the first iPad last week and there will be two more donations once the patients are chosen. The Fusco family is eager to get the word out about their mission in hopes of continuing to make iPad donations. Visit http://richardsfuscofoundation.org for more information or to make a donation. 
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