legacy of former cystic fibrosis patient will help children struggling today

The family of the late David Schutte donated $2,000 to Dayton Children’s Hospital today. They reunited from as close as Greene County and as far away as North Carolina for this moment. This gift is the first to Dayton Children's from the Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment, which was established for patients in Ohio who need financial assistance to meet daily medical needs related to CF treatment. Annual events will raise money to build the endowment and provide continuing annual assistance for patients and their families at Dayton Children's.

Dave was a patient at Dayton Children’s for many years. Funds from his endowment will go to the Dr. Martha Franz Fund, named for the pulmonary physician at Dayton Children’s who provided Dave’s CF medical treatment for more than 30 years. The endowment trustees will rely on the CF medical community at Dayton Children’s Hospital — a CF regional center serving 20 Ohio counties — to identify patients who may have a portion of their CF-related expenses supported by the endowment.

Dave Schutte passed away on September 14, 2015 at age 57 after battling cystic fibrosis his entire life, and then fighting pancreatic cancer which was diagnosed in November 2014. Today the median predicted survival age for CF patients is nearly 40 years. In the 1950s, a child born with CF rarely lived to be six years old. Thanks to tremendous medical advances and a network of support, CF patients are living longer and better lives. The Schutte family’s generous support will help that goal.

In the United States, about 30,000 people currently are living with CF, including 1,500 patients in Ohio. About 165 children and 60 adults with CF currently are treated at Dayton Children’s Hospital. “While we have made a great deal of progress in the treatment of CF, ultimately it is a very costly and time consuming illness,” says Gary Mueller, MD, medical director of Dayton Children’s cystic fibrosis center. “Dave’s donation will provide a great deal of support for our CF families. We are so thankful that we were here for Dave and that he will continue to be with us and our patients in spirit.”

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening, genetic disease that causes a thick buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients.

“Dave wanted to use his employee retirement fund to help other CF patients who face high costs for daily medicine and treatment, much of which may not be covered by health insurance,” says John Schutte, Dave’s brother. “By carrying out his wishes, we hope he will have a lasting impact on the CF patients battling this illness today.”

The endowment is administered by the Greene County Community Foundation, also known as Greene Giving, which invests, manages and distributes the endowment gifts as directed by the endowment trustees.

In Mount Vernon, Ohio, where Dave lived and worked for 10 years, the Dave Schutte Memorial CF Golf Scramble will be held on May 28, 2016 at Irish Hills Golf Club. Proceeds from the golf scramble will be donated to The Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment.

Those who wish to donate to The Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment may make checks payable to Greene County Community Foundation, with “Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment” on the memo line, and send checks to Greene County Community Foundation, 941 W. Second St., Xenia, Ohio 45385.

For more information please contact John Schutte at 376-2775.

For more information, contact:

Stacy Porter

Communications specialist

Phone: 937-641-3666

newsroom@childrensdayton.org