Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Universal South) - The
Joe Nichols Fan Club and The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) today announced the establishment of the Mike Nichols Fund of Hope in an effort to raise awareness and research funding for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), the deadly lung disease that claimed the life of Mike Nichols, father of country music star Joe Nichols. In a private meeting at his annual fan club party at the Nashville Palace on Thursday, Nichols gave a plea for others across the country to contribute to the fund, and help fight IPF.
'I am honored that my fans would create a fund to remember my father and to help fund much needed research into IPF. It is my hope that others will join the cause and this fund will grow to pave the way for a cure for this devastating disease,' said Nichols.
Mike Nichols, Joe's father, died in July 2002 at the age of 46 from IPF, a progressive and ultimately fatal lung disease that causes scars to form on the lungs and hinders the lungs' ability to provide oxygen to the rest of the body. There is currently no known cause, treatment, or cure for IPF.
"We, the fans, decided to donate to the CPF in memory of Joe's father as this year's gift to Joe. However, after hearing from others who have also been affected by this devastating disease, we decided to create The Mike Nichols Fund of Hope. This living memorial will continue to receive donations year round and be a gift that provides hope to thousands of patients diagnosed with IPF,' said Marilyn Wigglesworth of the Joe Nichols Fan Club.
'We are so pleased Mr. Nichols' fans want to honor him by creating a fund in his father's name. So many families have lost someone they love to IPF. This kind of heartfelt support will benefit not only those patients living with IPF, but also those that will be diagnosed in the future,' said Mark Shreve, CEO of the CPF.
This fund will help the CPF accelerate critical research into new approaches to understand and treat IPF, while funding CPF programs and services for patients and families nationwide. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the CPF for the Mike Nichols Fund of Hope by check or money order, please write 'Joe Nichols' in the memo line of the check. Please note that all contributions must be made in U.S. dollars.
Mailing Address:
Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Suite F, No 227
1659 Branham Lane
San Jose, CA 95118-5226
For online donations, go to: https://www.coalitionforpf.org/nichols/
For more information on Joe Nichols and his fan club, please visit www.joenichols.com
