Breath for CF

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common, recessively-inherited disease in New Zealand with a carrier rate of 1 in 25 and an incidence of 1 in 3000 live births. Approximately 20 children are born every year and more than 500 people are currently living in New Zealand with CF.

CF affects many organs in the body (especially the lungs and pancreas) by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus. In the lungs this can cause shortness of breath, a chronic cough and repeated chest infections. If the blockages affect the pancreas this will reduce or stop enzymes from being released to digest food, causing problems with poor weight gain and malnutrition due to malabsorption.

The condition progressively affects your ability take part in any activities or even to breathe enough to satisfy your most primal biological instinct of humans - to satisfy the hunger for air.

At present there is no cure for CF, but the gene that causes it has been identified and researchers are working to find ways to repair or replace it, and medications to treat CF complications. Current CF treatments have a large impact on day-to-day life, are often unpleasant and take up a lot of time.

Children with CF are often described by doctors as the happiest children they see in hospital and despite their battles they all seem to have such an amazing outlook and perspective on life that we could all take a leaf from.

Nearing the end of last year, a new family moved to Waihi Beach and enrolled their two young daughters in the Beach Kids Preschool, one daughter being diagnosed with CF. This prompted the teachers to learn about the illness and become aware of this incurable disease.

From February 20th to April 21st Beach Kids staff, families and the wider community are putting themselves to the challenge to climb Mount Everest. They are going to walk the Waihi Beach Trig 48 times over a 60-day period. On day 60, Saturday April the 21st there will be a day where anyone and everyone is welcome to join for a walk together up to the trig. There will also be celebration after to thank our supporters and competitors which will be hosted at Waihi Beach Hotel. Over this period there will be a Facebook group set up to allow competitors to post a selfie each time they walk.

Because exercise and salt air are so important and beneficial to people with CF and their survival, this Everest Challenge at Waihi Beach seemed an appropriate way to raise some funds, awareness and show support for the individuals and families who are challenged every day and climbing their own mountains each day.

The money raised through this fundraiser will be specifically donated to the Bay of Plenty regional network which expands from Opotiki to Thames.

The funds raised will go directly to the branch and be spent accordingly and spread how they see fit. The money will go towards petrol vouchers to help assist travel costs to and from hospital. Supermarket vouchers for families to spend on additional food for the child/person with CF and towards financially supporting the physiotherapists, so they can at times make home visits.

Funds raised will go towards families to help purchase exercise equipment. Ideas such as singing lessons, uniform for sport team or the help to pay sport fees, pool use entry fees, sporting equipment etc.

The money raised will also help support families in any way it can financially. Families with children with CF, it becomes not possible for both parents to have a fulltime job as they require days off to look after their child, take them to appointments and many other reasons so it requires one parent to forfeit work or work part time. This means a minimal income for families to live off therefore money raised can help support families to simply buy everyday necessities.