May campaign raises CF awareness

An Eaton mother wants to generate greater awareness and money for the disease afflicting her daughter during Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

The May campaign's month of fundraising and awareness events includes Cystic Fibrosis WA's annual 65 Roses Challenge, which encourages people to begin a themed challenge such as 65km run or $65-a-head dinner party.

Gabrielle East's daughter Katrina was diagnosed with the disease shortly after birth.

The gene for CF is carried by one in 25 people and two parents carrying the gene increases their children's risk of the disease.

Mrs East said that as someone who had no idea of cystic fibrosis until her third child was born 23 years ago, people needed to be aware of the disease.

"People need to know what CF is so that they have an understanding and don't think, 'she just has a little bit of a cold'," she said.

"This is a fatal disease. It's not a case of, will she get better or will she grow out of this? She won't."

The average life expectancy of someone living with cystic fibrosis is 37 years, which Mrs East said had increased thanks to growing awareness.

"When Katrina was born it was early 20s, so because it is becoming more known about, the lifespan is increasing," she said.

"Now it comes down to the almighty dollar bill - if we get more money, we can keep increasing the lifespan."

CFWA chief executive officer Nigel Braker said money was needed to further research the disease, which has no known cure.

"By creating a greater level of awareness, we also hope to appeal to the community for support through sponsorship to support our services," he said.

"Money is fantastic but goods or services in-kind are also of use."