European Cystic Fibrosis Society

In 1969, a European Working Group for Cystic Fibrosis (EWGCF) was founded to provide an annual forum where people from the various disciplines but with a common interest in CF could meet, present and discuss their latest findings. In 1997, following suggestions over a number of years by the membership, the board decided to propose an official transformation of the EWGCF to a Society. This change together with a new constitution was approved at the Annual General Meeting held during the 21st European CF conference in Davos, June 1997.

Since 1970, an annual conference has been held in different European countries and currently approximately 1800 delegates attend this conference.

From 2002 to 2007 the Ettore Rossi Medal Award was presented to honour a person who has made an outstanding contribution to our basic understanding of cystic fibrosis or to the treatment or care of patients with cystic fibrosis. In 2008 the ECFS Award was introduced to perpetuate the tradition of the Rossi Award. Also in 2008, a Young Investigators Award was introduced.

The Journal of Cystic Fibrosis (JCF) was first published in 2002 with Dr. Harry Heijerman being the first Editor-in-Chief. The JCF is the official journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society and is devoted to promoting the research and treatment of cystic fibrosis. To this end the journal publishes original scientific articles, editorials, case reports, short communications and other information relevant to cystic fibrosis. In 2009, the ECFS was proud to announce the first impact factor allocated to the JCF of 1.550.  In 2011, the ECFS was able to report a 2010 impact factor of 2.840.

In 2004, the ECFS began another annual conference which is entirely dedicated to basic science. The “New Frontiers in Basic Science of Cystic Fibrosis” Conferences are characterised by active discussion of data and ideas at the forefront of research on CF and CFTR, in an informal, co-operative environment. The ECFS would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution of Prof. Margarida Amaral in establishing these conferences on the international stage.

The ECFS has been organising regular consensus meetings over a number of years to develop standardised European documentation for CF care. Following these meetings, a report is prepared and submitted for publication in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 

EuroCareCF, an EU funded project managed by Dr. David Sheppard from Bristol University, paved the way for two important projects for the ECFS. One of these is the further development of the European CF Patient Registry, and the other being the creation of a European Clinical Trials Network.

click here to access a list of previous meetings