The Difference We Make: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Adding Tomorrows
IST's Gives Back
"One of the CF foundation's taglines is 'Adding Tomorrows,' and that's what you all do. You do add tomorrows for people with Cystic Fibrosis by supporting the foundation. There is no thank you big enough as a parent. Genuinely no thank you big enough." - Jennifer Stasney, Mom of IST's CF Ambassador, Blake Jones.
You Can Help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Find a Cure
IST has had 14 years of success connecting our friends, employees, and families to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its mission to find a cure. When our CEO & President, Hal Blackman, first connected with the foundation, things were often much more difficult and fragile for many of the children living with CF. The continuous support of IST, our employees, and many other groups and companies, who are passionate about the cause, has resulted in revolutionary medical developments, a flourishing community, and an increased life expectancy for those diagnosed.
Social media is an excellent tool for fundraising and community outreach; many of our site managers and team members are making a meaningful difference with their initiatives. This year, Dallas Walk Leader and longtime Operations Manager, Darrin Brennan, continued to have fantastic success with his "Fitness Challenge," where he offers a 5-week-long fitness plan, advice, etc. At our Corporate office, we love to find unique ways to fundraise, like different cooking competitions - this year's was a "Dip Off!" It's so meaningful to come together to support something important.
What Inspires IST's Fight for a Cure
"When Blake was diagnosed, the life expectancy, he was diagnosed at five weeks old. The life expectancy was 38 years old. At that time. I was 28 years old, and I could not imagine only having 10 more years. I was so young." - Jennifer Stasney.
It's easy to be so grateful for the success and many wins, but we forget to slow down and truly digest how much progress has been made! IST Gives Back is committed to ensuring that Jennifer and Blake's story can be heard by those who don't have a high understanding of what it's like to live with a chronic illness, the backend of medical research and fundraising, or the evolution of the disease itself.
Below are insights crucial to understanding IST's partnership with the CFF, discussed in the special episode of IST’s Outside-IN podcast: Adding Tomorrows: Why IST is Passionate about Cystic Fibrosis Awareness. Podcast host, Brad Burgess, talks with Hal Blackman, Jennifer Stasney, and Blake Jones about Blake's journey since his diagnosis as a baby, Jennifer's fight as a mother to a child with a chronic illness, and Hal's connection to the foundation.
As we continue to rely on our communities to care for one another, technological advances revolutionize the impact we can make as individuals. Many individuals show interest in charitable donations or volunteering but feel they don't have time or know where to start. IST Gives Back wants to meet our communities where they are, making our ability to impact one another positively a more accessible process. Thanks to #GiveHealthy, we can provide a truly simple and highly impactful way to support a food drive local to you with your chosen fresh fruits or vegetables.
2025 Employee Survey
Building on the momentum and feedback we've received through our recent 2025 IST Gives Back Awareness Survey, our team aims to refine our efforts and deepen our impact. Thus far, the results have provided invaluable insights into the charitable interests of our employees, covering diverse causes such as animal welfare, disease awareness, and more. This feedback informs our current and future outreach efforts, allowing us to prioritize programs that reflect the diverse values of our IST teams.
