On Boxing Day last year my little sister Tash passed away aged 23. She had been fighting a lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis. Every day of Tash’s life was affected by CF but you would never know it. She would never moan or complain, always smiling and when asked how she was would respond ‘I’m fine”. She was so brave and positive and a constant reminder of how important it is to live life to the full and appreciate our health.

Even though Tash's battle with CF is now over, we must carry on fighting in her honour. The CF Trust uses donations for research to help find a cure for this horrible disease and support CF sufferers and their families in their desperate times of need. 

What is CF?

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition caused by a faulty gene inherited by a child from both parents. One in 25 of us carry the faulty Cystic Fibrosis gene. If two carriers meet and have a child, the child will have a 25% chance of being born with CF. There are more than 10,000 people in the UK right now affected by Cystic Fibrosis.

The CF gene affects the movement of water and salt in and out of the cells which causes a build up of thick, sticky mucus that lines the lungs and digestive system. The mucus makes breathing difficult and causes regular lung infections. The lungs gradually deteriorate overtime despite CF patients fighting hard to clear this mucus everyday of their lives with hours of rigorous physiotherapy and medication.

At present there is no cure for the condition, the life expectancy for someone with CF is 41. Half of the people with CF will die before there 28th birthday. The CF Trust uses donations for invaluable research in the hope to find a cure. It also develops new medication and treatments that can improve the quality and duration of a CF patients life. Unfortunately CF is relatively unknown and therefore underfunded which makes raising awareness and donations so important.

https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk