Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is Australia’s most common recessive genetic condition occurring in one in 2,500 births yet many people have either never heard of it or do not know what the condition really is.  Here are some little known facts:

 

In Australia, a child is born with Cystic Fibrosis every four days.

 

Parents of children with Cystic fibrosis live with the reality that their child will die before they do.

 

Fortunately through improvements in care and medications, life expectancy has improved for many to the mid to late 30s, however some still never reach this age.

 

People with CF, even very young children, require vigorous daily physiotherapy to keep their lungs clear and take up to 40 tablets a day to replace digestive enzymes.   

 

CF is just as deadly as heart disease or cancer and has a devastating impact on the young people it affects and their families. There are no outward signs of the condition but in CF normal mucus changes to a thick sticky substance which affects the lungs blocking tiny air passages and causes substantial deterioration in lung function.  It also affects the pancreas which secretes enzymes necessary for digestion leading to malabsorption and failure to thrive.

Cystic Fibrosis NSW runs a number of support programs for children and adults living with CF and their carers.  In addition information and educational resources are provided and funds are raised for the essential medical and scientific research needed to provide new treatments and prolong life.