11 AUGUST 2016
MEDIA RELEASE
CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS WEEK 15 AUGUST – 21 AUGUST
Next week marks Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week, with several events planned around the country to help raise funds for
the Cystic Fibrosis community in New Zealand.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening genetic disorder affecting New Zealanders, with almost 500
living with the condition.
Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (CFNZ) is aiming to raise awareness about this serious illness which affects people
throughout their lives. There will be street collectors in all the main centres, a national raffle and other local
fundraising events.
CFNZ is extremely grateful to major sponsor Choice Hotels for hosting another campaign “to help those living with Cystic
Fibrosis become invincible”. It aims to raise $15,000 by donating $2 from every night stayed during Awareness Week at
any one of over 30 hotels across New Zealand including Ascend Hotel Collection, Clarion, Quality, Comfort and Econo
Lodge.
CFNZ Chief Executive Jane Bollard says the CF community is thankful for all the support it has received this year.
“Funds raised from Awareness Week will contribute to the wide range of services CFNZ provides for people with CF. We
provide education, information, grants and equipment such as nebulisers to treat the condition. Our Fieldworkers
contribute to the well-being of the community and support families from when a new baby is diagnosed with the illness.
“A lot of work goes into raising a child with Cystic Fibrosis. They need physiotherapy twice a day, a lot of medication,
and in some cases tube feeding and lengthy hospital stays,” she says.
Despite improvements in CF care, there is still a long way to go before people with CF enjoy the same quality of life as
others. This Awareness Week, CFNZ is seeking increased awareness of Cystic Fibrosis, and support for the community
through donations and volunteers.
There is still no cure for Cystic Fibrosis and CFNZ continues to fight to gain access to medication that is routinely
available in other countries, and to provide people with CF with an improved quality of life.
Donations can be made via www.cfnz.org.nz
WHAT IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS?
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a serious illness that affects lungs and digestion. It is the most common life-threatening
genetic disorder affecting Kiwis.
CF clogs the lungs and pancreas with thick mucus which can cause shortness of breath, a chronic cough and repeated chest
infections.
There are approximately 500 New Zealanders with Cystic Fibrosis. In NZ around one in every 5000 babies is born with the
condition.
About one in 25 New Zealanders carry the gene and won’t know this unless they meet someone else with the gene and have a
baby with the condition.
CF is usually diagnosed by new-born screening when a doctor or midwife will do a heel prick test to check the baby’s
blood for genetic disorders.
HOW DOES CFNZ HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH THE DISORDER?
Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand improves the lives of people with CF by providing equipment, education, awareness, and
access to fieldworker services and grants to help manage the condition.
CFNZ’s mission is to optimise quality of life for people with CF and their families aiming for normal life expectancy.