James Alexander loves singing, dancing, playing in the park near his home in the Kings Cove subdivision and especially cars – just like his parents, Alexia and Derrick who own a 1966 Ford Fairlane convertible.

That infectious love for cars combined with his parent’s enduring support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation makes him the perfect ambassador for Cars & ‘Q for the Cause, a family-friendly car show and party hosted by Choate Construction in support of the Georgia Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) on Saturday, May 4.

James may be too young to understand his official role as ambassador at the 10th annual Cars & ‘Q for the Cause, but his family plans to shed light on Cystic Fibrosis to the event’s 1,200 plus attendees. His mother Alexia shared with us a typical day as James battles Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that effects his whole body, but primarily causes respiratory and digestive issues, affecting about 30,000 in the U.S.

When was James first diagnosed? James was diagnosed when he was three weeks old – it caught us completely by surprise because he didn’t have issues at birth so when we went in for CF testing, we thought it would rule out he had the disease. We felt this way because I’m a carrier of a rare mutation that they couldn’t identify until we requested a DNA analysis after his sweat test at three weeks old confirmed his CF diagnosis.

What is a typical day in the life of James? After treatments, he loves going to the park, playing with his two dogs, he loves being with his cousins and his grandparents. When it’s not flu and cold season, he has so much fun joining me at a workout class that allows children, he loves music class, the aquarium, the zoo – things every child his age enjoys.

Summary of his regimen for treatment and medications? James’ regimen consists of airway clearance treatments twice a day when he’s healthy. If he’s sick or starting to get sick, this goes up to four times per day, and we add in breathing treatments to open up his airways and help him breathe. He also takes about 15 pills per day, three with each meal because without them, he wouldn’t absorb the fats and nutrients we need to grow. Other medications include a specialty vitamin since people with CF are deficient of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

You can support the Cargal Family and the CF Foundation through Cars & ‘Q for the Cause. Advance tickets include BBQ and local craft beers and ranges from $20 to $40 with access to bar. Tickets rise to $30 and $50 on April 26 and may sell out. Children under 8 are free, and parking is complimentary. Cars &‘Q will be at 8200 Roberts Drive in Atlanta. Visit www.carsnq.com or email carsnq@choateco.com. Advance tickets include dinner and range from $20 to $40 with access to the bar. Tickets rise to $30 and $50 on April 26. Children under 8 are free, and parking is complimentary. 8200 Roberts Drive, Atlanta.