HOBART | Alyssa Mathas has a few angels on her side in her fight against cystic fibrosis.

Alyssa, 13, and a group of her friends at Hobart Middle School hope their group, called Alyssa's Angels, can help find a cure by raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"These kids are an inspiration," said Hobart Middle School science teacher Eric Stoelb.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that usually affects the lungs and pancreas. Mucus builds up on the organs and clogs them. Breathing can become difficult when mucus clogs the lungs.

Alyssa has to regularly take medication and misses school every three months when she has treatments.

While in school, Alyssa and the dedicated group meet with Stoelb every day during lunch and after school to discuss ways of generating funds.

The group already has raised about $2,000, Stoelb said, and has a goal of raising more than $10,000 this year.

"It feels good helping to find a cure for cystic fibrosis," said Brittany Bock, one of Alyssa's Angels.

They sell items such as teddy bears, lollipops and handmade bracelets, which have become popular throughout the school, Stoelb said.

Stoelb said other schools in the district also have started to get involved with Alyssa's Angels. The high school started a program called coin wars for the students, and Liberty Elementary School will be selling astronaut Teddy bears to fifth-graders when they visit the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana.

Not only do the Angels sell items in school, but they also have been planning some other fundraising events.

They will have a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. April 21 at the middle schools, and also will take part in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides walk at the Lake County Fairgrounds on May 20.

Stoelb said the Hobart Middle School track team has decided to get involved with the walk to help the Angels raise money.

The group also is dedicated to raising awareness of cystic fibrosis, which started with Alyssa talking to her peers about the disease.

She said deciding to discuss cystic fibrosis was hard for her because until then she never told anyone but her closest friends. Stoelb said he encouraged Alyssa to speak about cystic fibrosis to the other students, but she still was unsure how the students would react to it.

"I was really nervous," Alyssa said. "I thought everyone would treat me different, but it turned out really good."

Stoelb said everyone reacted well after hearing Alyssa speak, and Alyssa's friends were proud of her for doing it.

"It was touching when she told everybody," Christina Bredwell said.

BREAKOUT

Upcoming Alyssa's Angels events

* Alyssa's Angels talent show: April 19 at the Augustana Lutheran Church, 207 N Kelly St., Hobart

* Pancake breakfast: 8 to 11 a.m. April 21 at Hobart Middle School, 705 E. 4th St.

* Great Strides walk: Starting at 12:30 p.m. May 20 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point

For more information on Alyssa's Angels and ways to help, call Eric Stoelb at (219) 942-8541 or visit www.cff.org/Great_Strides/EricStoelb to make a donation.