Surfers to Sydney: students get on their bikes for Cystic Fibrosis

At the finish line at The Children’s Hospital Westmead.  Pictured left to right:  Brooke (CF Patient), Mat Britton, Terry Stewart (CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Australia), Thomas, (CF Patient) Anne Sage, Taryn Mann, Dr Peter Cooper, (Head Physician at The Children’s Hospital Westmead CF Clinic) Sommer Tuson and Susanne Kuys. 

Cystic Fibrosis Australia wishes to congratulate Sommer Tuson and her fellow students of Griffith University who took on the physical challenge of cycling more than 900km from Surfers to Sydney to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.

Ms Tuson, who will graduate with a double degree in physiotherapy and exercise science in December, has been living with cystic fibrosis for 27 years.

The disease, one of the most common inherited disorders in Australia, is caused by faulty gene that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system. Medical research and subsequent treatment advances over recent decades have greatly increased the life expectancy and quality of life for people diagnosed with the disease.

Ms Tuson said physiotherapists play a significant role in the daily management of the disease.

“Physios help people with cystic fibrosis to clear the excess secretions from their lungs with a number of manual techniques and breathing devices to open up their airways. They also help plan and encourage regular exercise programs,” she said.

Ms Tuson said growing up in rural Tasmania meant her mother was always driving her to dancing classes and weekend sports including athletics, netball and martial arts.

“My mother was very regimented in my treatment with physiotherapy and medications and by keeping me really active. I am lucky to be so well at my age.“

While she says her childhood exposure to physiotherapists may have subconsciously influenced her choice of profession, it was also a desire to make a difference in other people’s lives.

“I also found my health deteriorated with a sedentary job working in an accountancy firm and studying commerce so I made a change.“

Ironically, Ms Tuson is on her final clinical placement at the Mater Children’s Hospital but cannot treat young patients with cystic fibrosis because of the potential risks of cross-infection.However she was well enough to be part of the daunting feat of cycling an average of 90 km each day for ten days.

Although still finalising their fundraising figures it is looking likely that the team will have raised more than $25,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Research. Research is aimed at finding better medications to control the disease, gene therapy and stem cell research and improved outcomes from lung transplantation.

The cyclists left Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus on Monday, November 24 at about 8.30am after a farewell breakfast with their supporters.

Their overnight pit stops were Brunswick Heads, Casino, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree, Bulahdelah, Newcastle and Gosford before they rode into Sydney on Wednesday, December 3 to a finish at The Children’s Hospital Westmead.

Congratulations on a great effort and a wonderful fundraiser for CF!