Bowls of Love Fundraiser at Blue House on Saturday

Haley Bulandr, a junior at lost her grandfather, great grandfather, and a great uncle to pulmonary fibrosis. This prompted her to suggest raising funds to support the foundation, which promotes awareness, funds research and provides education and support.

The Barrington Art and Culinary Class, under the direction of BHS teacher Jason Burke, will serve homemade soup in a handmade bowl at The Blue House, on 20 Cook St., during holiday festivities, Dec. 3.

Every bowl is free, but students are asking for donations for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. The suggested donation is $10 and 100 percent of the donations will go to the charity.

“People can have a hot bowl of soup and a hand crafted bowl.  This would make a wonderful holiday gift for all those hard to buy for people we have on our lists,” said Jennifer Bulandr, Haley’s mother and the director of community affairs for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF).
Jennifer Bulandr noted that the  PFF is hosting its 1st IPF Summit this week.  A 10th year Anniversary Dinner is being hosted at the Field Museum on Dec. 2, where Mary Ann Ahern from NBC Channel 5 will serve as MC.  Ralph Howard (Howard Stern's news reporter who has undergone a successful lung transplant due to his pulmonary fibrosis) will be presenting with his wife, Broadway legend Julie Halston.  Also serving as co-chair is U.S. Rep Mark Kirk who lost his dad to pulmonary fibrosis.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), IPF is a condition in which over a period of time the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff, and scarred. The development of the scar tissue is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred and thicker, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain and other organs don't get the oxygen they need.