Cystic Fibrosis NZ - Bay of Plenty

Cystic Fibrosis is the most common inherited genetic condition in NZ. One in 25 of us carry the gene. CF affects many organs in the body, primarily the lungs and the digestive system. Thick mucus in the lungs means most people with CF do breathing exercises, combined with liquid medications taken via nebuliser treatment, twice a day. Many people with CF also struggle to put/keep on weight.

Therefore physiotherapy, exercise/sports, keeping healthy (away from bugs) and eating the CF way (high energy, high fat and lots of salt are key ingredients) are vitally important and require more effort and costs than for people without CF.

The BOP branch of CFNZ raises funds to help with the extra costs of having CF. We:

- provide new or replacement medical equipment or supporting equipment including portable nebulisers and sterilisers (with high use they are also replaced regularly)

- help costs that isn't covered by government grants, such as heating/power

- provide vouchers to help cover the additional costs associated with hospital stays (ie children in hospital have meals provided but parents who stay with them don't, and most hospital stays are 1-2 weeks)

- support the BOP costs of the national CFNZ Breath4CF grant system for people with CF

- help with education for families and health professionals, by sending people to specialized CF conferences and meetings

- cover specialist professional health or related services. For example, we raised funds to trial a community physiotherapist for our people. This trial was successful and has been picked up by the BOPDHB.

- support the national organization that raises funds, employs fieldworkers, works with health and government agencies, lobbies for better services and funding etc.