Sisters Make Fundraising A Family Affair

Five sisters are hosting a garage sale Saturday in Commack to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.

The garage sale, which will be held all day at 12 Ron Court, will feature items including designer handbags, jewelry and clothing and more traditional yard sale staples like toys, books and furniture. Every dollar raised will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis research.

Nineteen years ago, Jonathan Spero was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 6 weeks old. Upon learning of his diagnosis, Jonathan's mother, Joanne, and her four sisters set out to raise as much money and awareness as they could to help find a cure for the disease.

The sisters formed 5Sisters4CF and have participated in dozens of fundraisers throughout the years,  including the Great Strides Walk-a-Thon for Cystic Fibrosis. Saturday will mark the third garage sale fundraiser they've organized.

"We just want to support our sister and nephew," said Karen Ciardullo, of Stony Brook, who is one of the five sisters on the mission. "It was Jonathan's toughest year, but we want to make the most out of it."

Ciardullo said that 19-year-old Jonathan has recently had to use a feedting tube, as the genetic disease commonly impairs the digestive process in the body. The average life expectancy of a person with Cystic Fibrosis is 37.

For Ciardullo and her sisters, there is still hope. They plan to continue to help Jonathan in his fight and raise as much money for Cystic Fibrosis research as they can.

"We made a promise to our sister that we would never stop and we haven’t," she said."We always look for news ways to raise money and keep going."

For those who cannot attend the garage sale, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.