At Cystic Fibrosis Australia, we hear many stories of courage and resilience. Some stay with us forever, stories like Avery’s.
Avery was born on the 4th of February 2022 after a healthy pregnancy and smooth delivery. For the first 24 hours, her parents held their beautiful newborn daughter and imagined a bright, uncomplicated future.
But within a day, everything changed.
Avery was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and underwent emergency surgery for meconium ileus, a severe intestinal blockage. A few weeks later, she faced another bowel surgery and was fitted with a stoma.
And then came the diagnosis: cystic fibrosis (CF).
Avery’s parents, already reeling from emergency surgeries on their precious baby daughter and a rollercoaster of hospital visits, were suddenly introduced to a chronic illness they knew nothing about.
They had never heard of CF. Now they were learning that this genetic, life-limiting condition would affect every part of Avery’s health: her digestion, her lungs, her immune system, and her future.
“As a parent, the only thing you want is to see your child grow, thrive, and live a full life.”
That’s why we continue to fight, for Avery, and for every child and adult living with CF.
At just six months old, Avery had her stoma reversed, and her family began to hope that life might settle. But CF had other plans. Soon after, Avery developed DIOS (distal intestinal obstruction syndrome), a painful complication that led to repeated hospital stays.
In August 2024, a common cold, pushed Avery into stage 2 respiratory failure. She was rushed to ICU, where she spent days fighting for her life. That was when her doctors made the decision to start her on Trikafta, the life-changing CF therapy that Cystic Fibrosis Australia had fought so hard to bring to Australia.
Will you help us continue this fight? Your gift can have a big impact.
This is why your support matters. Access to breakthrough treatments like Trikafta, and other therapies, doesn’t just save lives, it gives families moments they thought they’d lost. It gives hope.
In January 2025, Avery became unwell again. She was in and out of hospital with recurring DIOS episodes. On her third birthday, a milestone her family should have celebrated at home, Avery was rushed into another emergency surgery.
It lasted ten hours.
She now lives with a second stoma.
Avery’s story is heart-breaking. But it’s not rare.
There are thousands of children and adults across Australia facing the same daily battle against cystic fibrosis. Their stories may differ, but the need is the same: access to the treatments, support, research and better health outcomes that can change, and save, lives.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia is here for every one of them. But we can’t continue this work without your support.
As the end of the financial year approaches, we ask you to stand with us — and with families like Avery’s.
Your tax-deductible donation today will help us:
Advocate for Access to Life-Changing Therapies
We collaborate nationally to ensure Australians with CF have timely and affordable access to cutting-edge medications like Trikafta, and the next generation of therapies like Alyftrek.
Support Ground breaking Research
Your donation supports cystic fibrosis research here in Australia, bringing us closer to better treatments, and one day, hopefully that may include a cure.
Improve Standards of Care
We lead nationwide projects to ensure every person with CF has access to consistent, high-quality care, no matter where they live.
Donate now to make your impact count.
Please give your most generous gift today with the assurance that it will bring hope, relief, and progress to those who need it most.
Your contribution ensures we can keep fighting for Avery.
For her family. And for every child and adult living with CF.
Together, with your support, we can ensure that everyone living with cystic fibrosis has longer, healthier lives.