He became a cystic - fibrosis advocate after his daughter Alexandra was diagnosed with the illness in 1972 .
Deford served as chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation from 1982 until 1999 and was chairman emeritus after that .
Deford became a cystic - fibrosis advocate after Deford 's daughter Alexandra was diagnosed with the illness in 1972 .
Deford served as chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation from 1982 until 1999 and was chairman emeritus after that .