Dave Schutte Memorial Cystic Fibrosis Endowment

Helping CF families in the fight against cystic fibrosis.

Dave Schutte passed away on September 14, 2015 at age 57 after battling cystic fibrosis (CF) his entire life, and then fighting pancreatic cancer. In October 2015, in accordance with Dave’s wish, his family established the Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment to help CF patients in Ohio who need financial assistance for their medical costs. The endowment made an initial donation of $2,000 to Dayton Children’s Hospital, which directed the donation into the Dr. Martha Franz Fund for CF patients at the hospital. The fund is named for Dr. Martha Franz, a pulmonary physician at Dayton Children’s who provided Dave’s CF medical treatment for more than 30 years. The endowment trustees rely on the CF medical community at Dayton Children’s Hospital — a CF regional center serving 20 Ohio counties—to identify CF patients who may be eligible to have a portion of their CF-related expenses supported by the endowment. To date, the Endowment has donated more than $70,000 to help CF families in southwest Ohio.

About the Endowment

Dave was our brother, uncle, and friend. He battled cystic fibrosis for 57 years before succumbing to cancer. He left behind an unspent 401K with the wish that it be used to help CF families pay their medical bills, a struggle every CF family faces. Dave’s family established the Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment to do that for him.

The Endowment was initially supported by the Dave Schutte Memorial CF Golf Scramble, which was held annually in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where Dave lived and worked for 10 years. The golf scramble was discontinued following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening, genetic disease that causes a thick buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients. Today, the median predicted survival age for CF patients is nearly 40 years. In the 1950s, a child born with CF rarely lived to be six years old.

Thanks to tremendous medical advances and a network of support, CF patients are living longer and better lives. In the United States, about 30,000 people currently are living with CF, including 1,500 patients in Ohio. About 165 children and 60 adults with CF are currently treated at Dayton Children’s Hospital and about 236 children and 220 adults are treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

Dave Schutte Memorial CF Endowment Trustees:

Robert W. “Bud” Schutte

John H. Schutte

Jennifer L. Schutte

Emma R. Schutte