Cystic Fibrosis Foundation honors New York Outdoor News contributors

Buffalo, N.Y. — A pair of regular New York Outdoor News contributors have been recognized for their philanthropy efforts by the Western New York chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Frequent news and feature writer Bill Hilts Jr., and Frank Campbell, who contributes regularly to the Niagara County fishing reports, were both recognized along with Jim Hanley for their “Commitment to a Cure.”

The annual ‘Rock the Red Carpet’ event was held to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic, multi-organ disease that affects 1,600 people in New York State. The event raised $340,000, which supports the CF Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, partnering with the CF community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care.

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Hanley, Campbell and Hilts were recognized for their involvement with the Greater Niagara BassEye Celebrity Challenge and the Lower Niagara River Challenge events that raised over $3.5 million for CF.

“I remember how the BassEye started,” Bob Rich Jr. of Buffalo, a founding member of the Greater Niagara BassEye Celebrity Challenge, said in a video. “Gary Ellis and his wife, Susan, dear friends of ours from Islamorada, had a daughter (Nicole) who had CF and Gary wanted to set up celebrity fishing tournaments around the country that would raise money to help find a cure for CF. We identified Buffalo as a prime place to have a tournament.”

Together with Capt. Jim Hanley, of Angola, the three angling icons collaborated to form the first BassEye tournament in 2001 and it snowballed from there, thanks in part to the support of the charter fishing community and the generous sponsors who grabbed hold and ran with this unique “funraiser.”

“Guys like Hanley came together with us and he engaged the fishing guide community and they were great supporters for 20 years,” Rich said. “Fishing was overlooked in Buffalo for a long time. People were focused on other things. Our mayor and county executive never even fished in Buffalo before the tournament.”

“I didn’t put in the long hours necessary to make these events happen for recognition,” insisted Hanley. “I did it because finding a cure for CF matters deeply to me. I’m genuinely humbled to receive the recognition for this award.”

The evening spotlighted other remarkable honorees, including:

• Lifetime Achievement in Excellence in Care & Research: Dr. Drucy Borowitz;

• Katie’s Courage Award: Briana DeWitt;

• Buffalo’s Finest 2025 Professionals: Representing the next generation of changemakers.

“This event was more than a celebration—it was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite for a common purpose,” Executive Director Heather McKeever said. “Every person in that room is part of a movement that brings hope to families and drives us closer to a cure. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and passion that made this night possible.”

Gary Ellis, who passed away in 2020, also helped establish a second WNY tournament in the lower Niagara River with the help of Gary Hall of Niagara Falls.

With 10 years under its belt, the tournament raised well over $1 million for CF. Hall’s go-to charter captain was Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston, who was also on the original BassEye Committee in 2001 with Rich, Hanley, and Bill Hilts, Jr.

“It was an honor to be recognized by the CF Foundation, but I felt as if I was representing every guide that ever volunteered,” Campbell said. “It brought back a lot of memories but ultimately it was my way of giving back. I think all the captains that donated their time and skills felt that way. The more you give in life the more you get. It was a good feeling knowing that the funds raised in the different events were making a difference as the breakthroughs in treatments were improving lives of the CF patients.”

Through the years, everyone involved with the fishing contests could see their hard work (and play) pay big dividends as breakthroughs in research and medications were starting to make a difference. In 1980, the survival rate for someone with CF was less than 20 years. In 2006, life expectancy was nearly 38 years. Today, life expectancy is nearly 65 years, with some people living to be older.

“Keeping the fishing story alive matters because it reminds us of what a community can do when it comes together for a cause,” McKeever said. “Their impact will be felt for generations in the CF community.”