Cystic Fibrosis Association could do with a helping hand - yours

WERE it not for the outstanding work of voluntary groups, many people with disabilities would be facing a lot more suffering.

Sad, but true.

For example, the services available to people with cystic fibrosis are dangerously inadequate and must be addressed sooner rather than later.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a serious, inherited disease that mainly affects the lungs and pancreas, but can, as medical experts will tell you, involve other organs.

It is a lifelong illness and usually gets more severe with age. Ireland has one of the highest incidences of cystic fibrosis in the world.

People with cystic fibrosis (PWCF) rely heavily on a health system that is inadequately staffed and resourced.

The survival statistics relating to PWCF are directly proportional to the quality of the healthcare system. Ireland, sadly, falls well below internationally accepted norms.

With proper healthcare a large proportion of PWCF would be able to live a normal productive life. For example, in America it is predicted that the median age of survival for PWCF born in the 1990s will be more than 40 years.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland published an independent report in February highlighting the dangerously inadequate staffing levels and facilities.

The same report also made eleven recommendations.

A summary of these are published in the association’s Cystic Fibrosis Review 2005 and the association would be more than happy to send you a copy, or it can be downloaded from their website, www.cfireland.ie

In order to treat CF, a limited number of specialist, multi-disciplinary teams are needed.

Existing services are too thinly spread over many units that lack essential specialist training and facilities. If the services provided met internationally accepted norms, then people with cystic fibrosis would live longer and more productive lives.

Your active support is important to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland. Will you be a lifesaver for them in their work with local groups and help bring better levels of service to people with CF?

My thanks in advance.

Cllr Noel Collins

‘St Jude’s’

Midleton

Co Cork