This Saturday, May 12, four Mum's will be running a relay of 65km's non-stop on a treadmill. They will be running for their children who have Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
I asked one of the Mum's Donna O'Neill to explain CF for those of us who don't live with the challenges of CF.
"Cystic
Fibrosis is the most common life threatening genetic disease affecting our
children. It affects almost every organ in the body, but mainly the lungs &
pancreas. Currently there is no cure & sufferers must adhere to a daily
strict treatment regime to stay well, with daily medications, physiotherapy
& often frequent hospitalisations.
Sadly the average life expectancy is 37
years old.
We are incredibly
inspired by our children, through everything we make them do & everything
they are put through because of CF. It really is a daily
"battle" to maintain our children’s health & to keep them as
healthy as we can, without putting them in a bubble. A simply cold can cause a
lung infection & sometimes hospitalisation for those with CF. So in a world
full of coughs & colds & bacteria it is a constant challenge &
that's just with their lungs. Cystic Fibrosis certainly teaches you the value of
life & living it. That is why myself & 3 other CF mums have decided to
do this fundraiser as a lead up to 65 Roses Day which is the annual national
fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis. Inspired by the incredible amount of life that our children have &
inspire us to do something to create more awareness & much needed funds
that can help so many living with CF & hopefully will aid our dream of CF
standing for "Cure Found".
As a parent
there is an element of control you have over CF, you can ensure
daily physiotherapy is done & handfuls of digestive enzymes,
supplements & antibiotics are taken & that hands are washed to the
point you are almost OCD over it, but every-time our children get sick,
have a cough that no matter how hard you try & no matter how much
antibiotics & inhaled medication is done, does not go away you are
wrecked with guilt that somehow you could have done something more. Every-time
they have a cough you know that little by little damage is being done to their
lungs. It is an incredibly worry-some & stressful as a parent & it
never lets up.
Our fundraiser is "65kms for
Cystic Fibrosis" we are doing a non stop relay of 65kms on a treadmill at
our local gym, Jetts fitness - Peregian Springs on the 12th May.
Our donation page is http://www.everydayhero.com.au/65_kms_for_cystic_fibrosis we hope to raise
$6500.00 for Cystic Fibrosis annual fundraising day 65 Roses Day."
Please consider donating to help Donna, Tracy, Laura & Sonia to continue their fight against CF and blast CF out of the ball park !!
