This week, I wanted to take the time to focus on the “pop culture” of Tulane University. As many of you have seen on Facebook, Twitter, or just around campus, a new charity has been launched, started by Tulane University junior Coby Kramer-Golinkoff and his family, titled Emily’s Entourage. Coby’s sister, Emily, has a genetic, life-threatening disease called Cystic Fibrosis (CF), which affects around 30,000 people in the United States alone. The disease affects the lungs, digestive system, pancreas, and other organs. CF causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, which leads to life-threatening infections. The average life expectancy projected for someone afflicted with CF is the mid-30’s. There is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis, and Emily does 3-4 hour long treatments, along with taking over 30 pills, every single day.
Since the foundation’s launch last week, Emily’s Entourage has already raised an incredible $40,000, which amounts to over $1 raised for each person in the United States with Cystic Fibrosis. Emily’s Entourage was initially started by two of Coby’s sisters. Says Coby, “For an annual Cystic Fibrosis Stair Climb fundraising event, two of my sisters started a group called ‘Emily’s Entourage’ and in collaboration with my family raised over $8,000. We were so uplifted by the enthusiasm and ease with which we raised a significant amount of money and we realized we were on to something. I’ve always had an interest in making movies and my family put our minds together and thought this would be a way we could truly make a difference and save Emily, the person we care more about than anything in this world.”
Emily’s Entourage has one main goal: to ultimately find a cure to end this life-threatening disease. “Emily’s Entourage seeks to leverage the power of community to make a difference in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. We don’t want any parent or grandparent or sibling or spouse to lose a loved one to this devastating disease ever again,” Coby says. “That is why we won’t stop trying to raise money to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation until a cure is found.”
Emily’s Entourage truly emphasizes the meaning of community, and using this power to unite together for a common cause. As we all know, Tulane University is a campus in which this power is especially strong, something that I personally feel so lucky to be a part of. Together, as a community, we can help Emily’s Entourage, and help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) to find a cure. They are right on the brink of it, yet need more money for funding their research. As college students, we are placed in a position where we have the power to change the world. Pass this message on to your sororities and fraternities, sports teams, family members, friends, anyone. Tweet at celebrities to tweet about Emily’s Entourage. Make your Facebook status about Emily’s Entourage. Donate what you can, whether it is $1, $5, $20, every single dollar leads the CFF closer to finding a cure. The most important thing is to pass on this message. In doing so, we can help save Emily, and every other person afflicted with CF.
Here is the link to Emily’s Entourage. Watch the video, and pass it on.
“Like” Emily’s Entourage on Facebook.
Follow Emily’s Entourage on Twitter.