May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Cystic fibrosis is a fatal, genetic disease affecting over 4,200 Canadians and over 70,000 people worldwide. It affects the respiratory and digestive systems with symptoms including chronic cough, lung infections, and shortness of breath. There is currently no cure but treatment can ease symptoms and reduce complications. Following diagnosis, patients need to spend hours each day undergoing chest physiotherapy to help clear their lungs of excess mucus to prevent lung infections. They may also need to take enzymes with every meal to help digest food and absorb nutrients.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s awareness campaign, A World Without CF was launched this month with a message of hope in finding a cure. This Sunday May 27this the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History, taking place in over 70 locations across Canada. I will be walking for my cousin’s beautiful little girl, Sophia, who was diagnosed with CF at birth. The funds raised at the walk are used to target world-class research, supporting and advocating for high-quality individualized CF care and raising and allocating funds for these purposes.
Today, people with CF are living to a median age of 53.3 years in Canada! In 1990, the median age was only 32. I have hope for further advances and discoveries that will control or cure this devastating disease.
For more information on Cystic Fibrosis or to participate or donate to the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History, please visit: http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca
