A Legacy of Love: How the Trademan Family is Turning Hope into Action for People Living with CF

Eugene “Gene” Trademen began supporting CF Canada in 2023 after his great-grandson, Coast Fleck, was born with cystic fibrosis (CF) in 2022. Coast’s diagnosis, like many others, came as a shock to his family – no one knew they were carriers of the CF gene.

The early days of Coast’s diagnosis were emotional and overwhelming. He was diagnosed just three weeks after birth and struggled to gain any weight. But when Coast’s doctors first administered digestive enzymes, his health improved dramatically.

“Within just hours of starting them, you could see a difference in Coast’s eyes, and within a couple of days, he was up to a standard weight.”

Still, CF brings a sense of helplessness that comes from knowing the disease is inherited. Eugene was deeply moved by Coast’s diagnosis and wanted to make a difference for his great-grandson. What began as one man’s determination to help his family has grown into a multi-generational legacy of hope.

Support for CF Canada’s mission now extends across the entire Trademan family. After Coast’s diagnosis, several of Gene’s grandchildren found out they are CF carriers, which only reinforced their commitment to fighting for a cure. This shared purpose became the backbone of the Trademan Foundation, established in Gene’s final years.

Today, the Foundation continues to make CF a major focus area of its charitable giving. What started with Gene’s compassion has now become a family mission – one that stretches across generations.

Coast’s experience is a reminder of why continued research and support matter today. Thanks to Trikafta, Coast has been able to thrive – even starting pre-school this fall, something that once felt uncertain to his family. Their personal connection has fuelled their desire to give back, knowing that to this day, not every child with CF has access to the same treatments. For the Trademan family, every milestone in Coast’s life is a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still must go.

This Giving Tuesday, the Trademan family is matching donations to double the impact of gifts to CF Canada. They hope to inspire others, showing how treatments have transformed Coast’s life while acknowledging that many people with CF still cannot access or benefit from Trikafta.

“CF still requires daily dedication – medications, physio, clinic visits, bloodwork, enzymes, and constant vigilance against infection. Don’t lose momentum. There are still families just now facing new CF diagnoses, just as we did three years ago.”

The Trademan’s are profoundly grateful for the progress made so far and are committed to continuing Gene’s legacy for the next generation.

“We are thankful for all of the efforts that came before and have helped Coast. Now, we need to continue that for the next generation.”

This Giving Tuesday, your gift will be doubled until midnight December 2. 

Honour Eugene’s legacy and help change the future of cystic fibrosis.