Superdance

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 40s, 50s and beyond. Find out more at www.cff.org.

Since March 1976, Bishop O'Connell students have been hosting an annual 12-hour dance marathon to help raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis (CF) research. With the wholehearted support of then-principal Msgr. James McMurtrie, the first Superdance to fight CF was organized by senior Maura O’Donnell and fellow classmates of Maura’s sister, Brenda ’77, who succumbed to this disease in April 1975.

Superdance has become a uniting force across generations at Bishop O'Connell. Maura O'Donnell, who helped start this tradition, went on to nursing school, but also died from CF a few years later. Representatives of the O'Donnell family and other families stricken with this disease come each year to the Superdance assembly to help educate and inspire the students.

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Hailey, "Sister of 3 Other Victims Dies From Cystic Fibrosis," Washington Post, May 13, 1978,