The Cystic Dreams Fund

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The Cystic Dreams Fund

501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization helping individuals who suffer from cystic fibrosis Paul Mooney was a writer, poet, teacher and song writer.

He also had cystic fibrosis. For most of his life, cystic fibrosis never determined what he could or could not do. He loved music, traveling, biking, hiking, teaching, family, friends and challenges. A particularly virulent infection in 2005 led his doctors to advise Paul to consider lung transplantation as a way to extend his life. In October, 2007, Paul received his new lungs. His recovery was s

low and difficult, but by April, 2008 he could feel the wonder of breathing deeply. Unfortunately, the feeling would not last and he was diagnosed with the very rare early onset Bronchiolitis Obliterans. After many rounds of treatments which devastated his kidneys, Paul passed away in December, 2009. For the last several years of his life, Paul was sustained by his on-line cystic fibrosis friends. He loved meeting and chatting with his "cysters" and "cf bros" all over the world. He loved doing research to help when he could, to advise when he thought it appropriate, and to share with his virtual friends the unique experience of cystic fibrosis. Paul loved to play his guitar and write songs that he would share with his on-line friends. After his death, his brothers and musician friends in Chicago produced the CD Because of a Woman including his favorite creations. One of these songs is "Cystic Dreams", the inspiration for the name of this Fund.

06/04/2026

The Cystic Dreams Fund is saddened to hear of the death of Laura Smith, one of the original Board members. She was always a source of information, inspiration and advice. Rest peacefully, Laura. You have earned it!

11/28/2025

We would like to share a milestone for our friends at CF Vests Worldwide…
This year, CF Vests Worldwide () celebrates its 5th anniversary. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that donates life-saving therapy vests to Cystic Fibrosis patients around the world. Since 2020, they have provided more than 435 therapy vests to CF patients in 62 countries.
Rodrick Spadinger, Founder / President & Treasurer of CF Vests Worldwide, began this work after his double lung and liver transplant at age 45 gave him a second chance at life. Soon after, individuals with CF from Chile and Lebanon reached out to him for help. What began with sharing his own vest has grown into a global mission, connecting donors with patients who cannot afford this $18,000 equipment.
This year, in addition to their international efforts, they are also focusing on the U.S., where an estimated 2% of CF patients are uninsured or underinsured. For these patients, access to a therapy vest can mean the difference between life and death.
If you are interested in donating a lifesaving therapy vest to CFVWW so they can continue supporting those in need worldwide, please contact Rod Spadinger at [email protected]

11/17/2025

Paul like allot of of people living with cf really liked to enjoy the outdoors when his health cooperated. Please, take a moment to consider this worthy non profit organization’s mission.

01/18/2025

Andy Lipman has died. Andy was a true . He offered kindly his condolences when Paul Mooney died and continued to give encouragement when we established The Cystic Dreams Fund. Andy defied the odds and was inspiration for us to do necessary work we do. Breath Easy, Andy.

12/31/2024

Join us in our mission to support families affected by cystic fibrosis in 2025. The Cystic Dreams Fund has helped many, but there is still much work to be done. Your tax-deductible donations will provide crucial assistance to families facing high medical costs. Together, we can make a significant impact.

Email from The Cystic Dreams Fund Happy New Year! Thank You for your support! Lets help even more cf families in 2025! Dear Cystic Dreams Supporter, Over the past fourteen years, The Cystic Dreams Fun

12/06/2024

Today let's remember a two gifted musicians we lost on this date. The first is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Denny Laine who performed to benefit Cystic Dreams in 2019 and passed away one year ago. The second is Paul Mooney who succumbed from Cystic Fibrosis on this date fifteen years ago and has been the inspiration for our fund since its inception in 2011.

01/12/2024

A hero to the CF community Joe O'Donnell has passed away at 79.

We are completely heartbroken to announce the passing of our Dad, Joe O'Donnell. He was the most incredible, loving, funny, and magical human, and will be so deeply missed. This community meant absolutely everything to him, and he was so proud of everyone in it.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/07/metro/joe-odonnell-entrepreneur-transformative-philanthropist-cystic-fibrosis-dies-79/

His Celebration of Life is on Friday January 12th at 12pm, and will be live streamed at the link below, if anyone would like to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX331Leffc8

12/31/2023

Your generous donations have allowed The Cystic Dreams Fund to provide financial assistance to so many families burdened by the high costs of medical care. We helped twenty families this year, and there are fifteen more in the pipeline waiting for funding. This was Paul’s dream and legacy; for this, I thank you!

However, only with your support can we continue to bring hope to those who need it most. Please consider making a tax deductible gift of any amount to the Cystic Dreams Fund. A donation of $500 will fund one impact grant and make a significant difference in the life of a family coping with a costly cystic fibrosis diagnosis.

On behalf of The Cystic Dreams Fund and all those affected by cystic fibrosis, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. Your generosity has transformed lives. Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to your continued partnership in our fight against cystic fibrosis. Together, we can turn dreams into reality.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,

Jacqueline Mooney
CF Mom to Paul Mooney (decd 2009)
Founder The Cystic Dreams Fund

Donor Privacy PolicyWe will not sell, share or trade our donors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by The Cystic D...

12/06/2023

We are saddened to learn of the death of Denny Laine on December 5, 2023 to Interstitial Lung Disease (IDL). Denny was a supporter of The Cystic Dreams Fund and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. December 5, is also the date we lost Paul Mooney to cystic fibrosis 14 years ago.

The Manchester-based Cystic Dreams Fund will host Songs and Stories for Cystic Fibrosis with two-time Grammy Award winner, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Denny Laine, founding member of …

07/11/2023

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Address

Gloucester, MA
01930

Telephone

+19782900635

Website

https://donorbox.org/donation-to-the-cystic-dreams-fund, https://www.cysticdreamsfund.com/, https://www.biddingowl.com/A

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