MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Commercial Bank in Memphis today announced a fundraising and awareness event for Pulmonary Fibrosis in honor of the bank's Vice President, Diana Rose, who suffers from the incurable lung disease. The event will be held at Commercial Bank at 510 S. Mendenhall Road in Memphis on Wednesday, July 16th and will include a silent auction and refreshments at the bank from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.. Proceeds will go to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF), a non-profit foundation working to find treatments and a cure for PF (http://www.coalitionforpf.org).

PF is a rapidly progressing disease that causes relentless scarring in the lungs. There is no FDA approved treatment and no cure for the disease that claims as many lives each year as breast cancer.  Most PF patients live three years post diagnosis.

Rose, 50, who has worked at Commercial Bank for 17 years and has been VP for 12, was diagnosed with PF last year.   "I am humbled by the support the bank and all of our customers have given me since my diagnosis," said Rose.  "Every day, people ask me how I'm doing and convey encouraging words.  They really help keep me going."

"Diana is loved by our staff and our customers alike,"  said Mott Ford, Commercial Bank's Chief Executive Officer.  "We are proud to honor her with this event while raising awareness of this horrible disease that affects so many in our area."

Rose Started Memphis PF Support Group

Rose and CPF Vice President, Teresa Barnes  who also lives in Memphis, started a PF support group here in April.  The group, which meets at the bank, started with eight attendees in its first meeting in April and at its last meeting in June it had grown to more than 20.  The support group was planned for Memphis in 2012 but its first two meetings were canceled due to tornadoes in the area.  The 2012 group's leader, Lynda Oxley, who also suffered from PF, died before the third meeting was scheduled.  The April support group was held in tribute to Oxley who was an active PF advocate and a longtime employee of FedEx.  The Memphis PF support group's next meeting will be August 12.  For more information, contact tbarnes@coalitionforpf.org.  

"I am honored to work alongside Diana to help other people here in Memphis with this devastating disease," said Teresa Barnes, of the CPF., who has lost five people in her family to the disease.

2014 Pivotal Year for Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients

It is a pivotal year for patients and families, it's possible, even likely, that one or two new drugs will become available for the first time.  There has never been an FDA approved treatment for PF.  The FDA is currently reviewing InterMune's drug, pirfenidone, and Boehringer Ingelheim's drug, nintedanib, and will hold the first FDA workshop on the disease in September.

Background on PF and Specialty Centers in Region

PF is growing in incidence and prevalence nationwide, including here in Memphis.  At least 200,000 Americans suffer from the deadly lung disease that has no FDA approved treatment and no cure.  Currently, lung transplantation is the only life-saving option for patients but fewer than one percent of patients diagnosed receive a transplant in time. 

Medical centers specializing in the treatment of PF and in lung transplantation for the disease in this region of the country include Vanderbilt University in Nashville, the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and Barnes Jewish Medical Center in St. Louis.

Memphis Sports Radio Host Lapedis has PF

Memphis sports radio host George Lapedis announced last summer that he also suffers from PF.  A documentary on PF, in which Lapedis appears, aired on The Discovery Channel in June and the full show is available online at: www.everybreathcountsfilm.com.

What:  Silent Auction and Awareness Event for Pulmonary Fibrosis

When:  Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where:  Commercial Bank, 510 Mendenhall Road, Memphis ,TN

Call: 901-888-2265

To support the bank's effort, a visit to the bank isn't required.  Tax deductible donations can be made via an online giving page at:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/CBTCDianaRose/1stannual


The silent auction and awareness event will feature art for auction by Memphis artist, Kevin Bowers
http://www.artistkevinbowers.com/about.html as well as items donated by Spruce, Garden District, UpCity Hair Studio, King Furs and Wild Birds Unlimited and other local Memphis merchants.

About the CPF

The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 28,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=26454