Our Mission

 The Rare Lung Diseases of Latin America Foundation, is where breath knows no borders. Our goal is to raise awareness and offer support to pediatric patients grappling with rare lung diseases throughout Latin America. With a special focus on Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), a genetic disorder affecting the respiratory system, we embark on a journey of advocacy, education, and community outreach. Through these efforts, we aim to foster understanding, encourage early diagnosis, and uplift the lives of those navigating the complexities of PCD and other rare lung conditions in the Latin American region. Join us as we breathe beyond borders, promoting a future where every breath is one of hope and resilience.

Dr. Ricardo Mosquera

Inspired by my daughter born with Down syndrome, I've developed innovative approaches for caring for children with medical complexity, reducing fragmentation, improving outcomes, and lowering costs. Our program, serving as an enhanced medical home, provides world-class care for vulnerable children. Furthermore, I have pioneered different models of healthcare delivery, including establishing a multidisciplinary clinic for children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, pulmonary hypertension, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, and, most recently, an outreach model of care for rare lung diseases in Mexico. Our programs functions as an enhanced medical home, delivering world-class care for the most fragile and vulnerable population of children, both medically and socially. Moving forward, our objective is to sustain this high degree of quality research and expand our program for Latin America.

 Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that leads to the accumulation of mucus, causing damage to organs, especially the lungs and pancreas. Common signs include salty-tasting skin, persistent coughing, frequent lung infections, wheezing, poor growth, weight loss, greasy stools, bowel movement difficulties, and infertility in males. Over time, the buildup of mucus and infections can result in permanent lung damage, including fibrosis and cyst formation. CF is caused by genetic changes in the CFTR gene, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

Many rare diseases, like CF, lack comprehensive information. Additional information that is being researched at this time is a population estimate, symptoms that may manifest at any time in life, a genetic cause, available patient organizations for support and advocacy, and the possibility of detecting the disease through newborn screening tests performed soon after birth.

Regarding the onset of symptoms for CF, they can manifest at any point in life, and the age at which symptoms begin varies among different diseases.

Will update. Please hold! Information is currently being updated.