'Cystic Fibrosis tore through my family, but now sufferers can hopefully breathe easier'

Two of my cousins died of cystic fibrosis, but a study offers hope that other children can avoid that fate

Laura and Conor as babies before they died from Cystic Fibrosis within three years of each other in the 80s.

As a child, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) felt like a sword hanging over the neck of my family. The very mention of the disease was enough to stop us in our tracks. It had claimed the lives of my two cousins — Conor and Laura — both just five years old when they died.  

I can still see my father opening the front door and hearing the words, “We lost Conor. He’s gone.” My uncle Jack could barely talk.