It began one evening in January 2020, when a mother knocked on Mr. Chaim A. Wolkenfeld’s door, tearfully collecting funds for her three children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis.
Instead of offering a quick donation, Mr. Wolkenfeld engaged her in conversation. She described the unrelenting toll of CF, the chronic coughing, severe respiratory infections, constant hospitalizations, and the helplessness of watching her children struggle to breathe.
Deeply moved and unable to ignore the pain he had witnessed, Mr. Wolkenfeld founded Child Life Society, a compassionate response to the harsh realities of Cystic Fibrosis. CLS is dedicated to supporting children living with CF and their families, helping them breathe easier, live better, and feel less alone.
Each morning, most of us rise, get dressed, and head to work or school with little thought. But for someone living with Cystic Fibrosis, the day begins very differently.
Before they can even leave the house, a child with CF often endures 30–45 minutes of exhausting chest physiotherapy, a physically draining routine just to breathe more comfortably. This is followed by a schedule filled with inhaled medications, digestive treatments, constant coughing, fatigue, and the looming risk of infection.
At Child Life Society, we understand the daily reality of living with CF. And we’re committed to lightening that burden. With carefully guided research, medical partnerships, and a network of generous supporters like you, we provide vital tools and services that help children and their families manage this condition with dignity, comfort, and hope.
Together, we can make every breath a little easier.
Founder | Executive Director | President
Secretary
Treasurer | Dir. Lifeshine Respite
Director of Respiratory Center for Children of Atlantic Health System Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ
Acting Director, Pulmonary Medicine Professor of Clinical Pediatrics Columbia University
Professor of Pediatrics and Chief, Pediatric Pulmonology Associate Physician-in-Chief Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center New York Medical College
Vice Chairman, Pediatrics Director CF Center, LICH
Brand Strategist
Advocacy Director
Global Marketing
