Margate, FL – On Saturday April 2, 2011 the Massage Therapy students at the American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty donated their time at the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk.  Great Strides: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. Tens of thousands of individuals came together to support the cause, and to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. American Institute was part of the volunteer efforts in Ft. Lauderdale.   The students provided chair massages to the participants and donated the proceeds back to the Foundation. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis 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.  The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is a nonprofit donor-supported organization; their mission is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.  For more information about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation visit http://www.cff.org/. The very next day, April 3, 2011, the Massage Therapy students from the American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty volunteered their time again, for another great cause – the Epilepsy Walk the Talk 5K.  American Institute students provided complimentary chair massages and collected donations for the foundation. The Epilepsy 5K Walk supports the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida to help raise awareness about Epilepsy and seizure disorders.  It raises funds to support services for the 360,000 Floridians living with epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) leads the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome challenges created by epilepsy.  EFOF serves as the lead advocate for the rights and needs of people with epilepsy and seizure disorders at the local, county and state level.  For more information about the Epilepsy Foundation visit: http://www.epilepsyfla.org/. Randy Proto, CEO of American Institute, added, “Wow, our Massage Therapy students were certainly busy this weekend.  I think it is wonderful that they participated in these two great events that assist individuals living with these chronic and sometimes life threatening disorders.  Together, they contributed their services and their skills to help make a difference in the lives of many individuals.” Richard McCulloch, Campus President of American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty added, “It was a great weekend for our Massage Therapy students and it is my hope that they not only gained some great practical skills by participating in these events, but that they also believe they made a difference in the fight against these chronic illnesses.  Great job team – as always I am proud that you represented our school and community so well.”