Richard Fusco Foundation Donates Third iPad to Cystic Fibrosis Patient

Photo caption: Pictured left to right, top row: Ralph Fusco, of the Richard Fusco Foundation; Brandi Mahan, of Seabrook, NH; Sabina Fusco, of the Richard Fusco Foundation. Pictured left to right, bottom row: Krista Gould, 7, of Seabrook, NH.

On November 23, 2013 at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Krista Gould, 7, of Seabrook, New Hampshire was the third Cystic Fibrosis patient to receive an iPad donation from the Richard Fusco Foundation. The Framingham-based foundation donated the third iPad to Krista, hoping to make her hospital stays a little brighter.

The Richard Fusco Foundation is scheduled to donate seven more iPads once the patients are chosen by MassGeneral Hospital for Children, and hope to continue their son's legacy.  

The Fusco family founded the Framingham-based foundation in memory of their son Richard who was born October 3, 1968 with Cystic Fibrosis. Like most CF patients, he was a frequent hospital patient and took a significant amount of medication to stay alive. After Richard received a double lung transplant in his thirties, his life improved until his new lungs began to deteriorate, his diabetes worsened, and his weakened kidneys required him to spend three days a week in dialysis. 

Throughout the highs and lows of his intensive care, Richard amazed his friends and family with a bright, positive attitude. He often counseled younger CF patients, and was a frequent guest speaker. In his last three years, Richard relied heavily on his iPad to communicate with family and friends, watch movies and TV, read, play games, and even video conference to stay connected. This vital new technology dramatically enhanced the last few years of Richard's life. Thus, the Richard Fusco Foundation was created after his passing to help provide the same opportunity to similar CF patients.

With long and frequent visits in the hospital, it is hard for children with CF to keep up with school work. The iPad can make it easier to keep in touch with teachers and classmates. CF children are able to read class assignments, read, and write assignments on their iPad. It is also hard for children with CF who must make frequent doctors office or hospital visits. The iPad can help make these visits more tolerable. Playing games, watching movies, reading, or listening to music can help a child through difficult times away from family. Additionally, having CF can make you feel isolated from your friends, family, and others. The iPad allows CF kids, teens, or adults stay in touch with their world

The Fusco family is eager to get the word out about their mission in hopes of continuing to make iPad donations for years to come. Visit http://richardsfuscofoundation.org for more information or to make a donation.