[COMMUNICATED CONTENT]

By: Shimmy Blum

The island city of Key West, Florida – the southernmost point in the U.S. – is a world renowned tourist attraction, and a favorite stop for cruise ships. Lesser known is how “America’s Caribbean” welcomes frum families suffering from cystic fibrosis from throughout North America, affording them much- needed relief – both physical and emotional.

Straddling the border of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, Key West is a uniquely aquatic and high salt environment. This combination has been medically proven to loosen the mucus of cystic fibrosis patients – making it easier to breathe; increase appetite; and reduce lung infections occurrences by about half. Cystic fibrosis unfortunately does not yet have a cure, and simply breathing Key West air provides the greatest relief out there.

Nestled in the heart of Key West is a beautiful therapeutic respite home – fully furnished, and equipped with a swimming pool, kosher food and entertainment – that was purchased and renovated by Child Life Society. The Lifeshine Respite Program of Child Life Society offers fully sponsored trips for cystic fibrosis families, who are hosted in the therapeutic respite home.

Due to logistical and medical considerations, only one family can stay at a home at once. Child Life Society is the midst of renovating a second home in Key West, which will significantly increase the number of families who can enjoy this life-altering relief.

In just three weeks – August 22 nd and 23 rd – members of America’s frum communities will converge upon Key West in order to enjoy “The Greatest Catch”, an exciting fishing tournament to benefit the second Lifeshine Respite Home. Participants will board professionally staffed fishing boats as teams, and compete in various categories: heaviest fish, longest fish, most fish, ugliest fish and smallest fish. The tournament will involve an extraordinary amount of fun, team work and fulfillment. All anglers will be hosted in a 4 star hotel in Key West and enjoy a rich program complete with gourmet meals and an awards ceremony.

It is unfortunately common for this genetic disease to afflict more than one child per family. Child Life Society’s therapeutic respite trips are fully sponsored for the entire family – two parents and all children – so that everyone can relax and rejuvenate together in this remote oasis. And the therapeutic effects last for 6-8 months after the families return home!

Are you on for some fun in honor of a great cause? Find out more – or join – now!

For more information and to register, please visit www.greatestcatch.com. We look forward to having you join us!