Cystic Fibrosis Chicago Triathlon Fundraiser

Tuesday, April 11 2006 @ 05:53 PM IST

Martin Cahill of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland has emailed looking for volunteers to compete in the 2006 Chicago Triathlon in order to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland. The association is looking for volunteers to raise a mimumum of €4000. They will give all possible support to volunteers in their fundraising. The figure of €4000 will cover all expenses except spending money while you enjoy the sights of the Windy City (i.e. flights, 6 nights at the Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue, meals and race entry). If you want to get involved email Martin at mcahill@cfireland.ie in order to facilitate early booking of flights and hotel...

Below is a brief description of the nature of Cystic Fibrosis and also the work of the Association, which is totally dependant on voluntary fundraisers and donations.

Cystic Fibrosis is Ireland’s most common life-threatening genetically inherited disease with the highest incidence in the world. Approximately 1 in 20 people are carriers of the CF gene and where two carriers parent a child together, there is a 1 in 4 chance of the baby being born with CF. Unfortunately, Ireland has the worst survival statistics in the developed world with the median age of death at 25 years. Thankfully, with advances in medical treatments through research, greater longevity is a feature of life nowadays for CF sufferers. However, provision of increased levels of services to cater for our ever-increasing adult population is of paramount importance, and for this we must explore all avenues of fundraising.

Cystic Fibrosis affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, pancreas, the digestive tract and the reproductive system. It causes thick sticky mucus to be produced, blocking the bronchial tubes and preventing the body’s natural enzymes from digesting food. There is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis, but medical research is ongoing in the hope of finding such a cure. Meanwhile, it is necessary to fund the services listed below to give CF children and adults some hope of managing their condition, as the existing services leave a lot to be desired.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland:

• Provides support and assistance to people with CF and their families
• Funds Medical Research
• Supports specialist multidisciplinary posts in hospitals around the country
• Provides a domiciliary physiotherapy service to people with CF
• Campaigns for increased and improved services for people with Cystic Fibrosis.

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