Cystic Fibrosis:
There's More to the Story

Just a generation ago, many Australians born with cystic fibrosis (CF) were not expected to reach adulthood.

Today, thanks to advances in research, treatment and care, many people with CF are living longer, fuller lives, studying, building careers, becoming parents and achieving milestones once thought out of reach.

While this progress is worth celebrating, it is not the whole story.

Behind every milestone are the daily realities of living with a complex, lifelong condition. Through There’s More to the Story, Cystic Fibrosis Australia is shining a light on these unseen experiences, challenging perceptions and sharing the authentic stories of people living with CF.

At the heart of the campaign is a first-of-its-kind multimedia exhibition by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Alex Parker, who is a young mum, and also lives with cystic fibrosis. Through powerful imagery and personal storytelling, the exhibition celebrates resilience, connection and the stories that exist beyond the diagnosis.

Because there’s always more to the story.

Behind the Scenes

Go behind the lens and discover the making of There’s More to the Story.

This behind-the-scenes video captures the collaboration, creativity and lived experiences that brought the campaign to life, offering a glimpse into the people, conversations and moments that shaped this powerful disease awareness initiative.

Launching at the 16th Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Conference

There’s More to the Story will officially launch on Friday 7 August 2026 at the 16th Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Geelong.

The campaign will debut as an immersive multimedia exhibition within the exhibition hall, featuring striking LED displays that open like books, each revealing the unique stories, experiences and perspectives of people living with cystic fibrosis.

This is just the beginning. As the campaign grows, this page will continue to evolve with new stories, videos and photography, showcasing the voices that make up our CF community.

We also invite you to be part of the campaign. If you’d like to share your own story, experience or perspective, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can help build greater understanding, amplify the voices of our community, and remind everyone that there’s always more to the story.

Meet the Ambassadors

Caz Boyd

Caz Boyd’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and second chances. In her 20’s, her health declined dramatically, and at 27 she underwent a life-saving double lung transplant.

“This life… my life… it is nothing short of a miracle”, Caz says. “I have truly lived. I’ve travelled, had an amazing career, fallen in love, sky dived. I live every day to the fullest”.

But her story also challenges common assumptions. A transplant is not a cure. Caz remains immunocompromised and pancreatic insufficient, lives with kidney issues, and spends hours each day managing her health.

At the heart of her story is an extraordinary bond with her donor Natalie’s family, whose decision transformed her life and created a lasting connection.

Now, more than 30 years post transplant, Caz continues to advocate for CF awareness and research, determined to keep living better, aiming higher and never settling.

Bradley Dryburgh

Bradley Dryburgh is a motivational speaker, podcaster, author and marathon runner living with cystic fibrosis. Diagnosed at just three weeks old, he grew up healthy, active and optimistic – until declining health in his late teens, including lung bleeds, forced him to confront his own mortality.

“It was a hard lesson that taught me a lot”, he says.

Bradley uses his platform as a podcaster and author to inspire others. He once read his self-written eulogy to friends, an emotional exercise that underscored the importance of expressing love and gratitude. He’s since published a book, I Wrote My Own Eulogy, where Bradley invites his readers to say what matters most when you can.

Now in his early thirties, Bradley continues to live with optimism, advocating for CF awareness and reminding others of the beauty in life’s simplest moments.

Jess Ragusa

Jess Ragusa, from NSW’s Central Coast, has faced immense challenges living with cystic fibrosis. Although her childhood was relatively healthy, at 18 she contracted an infection resistant to all available medications and was told she had six months to live. Determined to prove otherwise, Jess fought back.

“I didn’t think this life, or any life, would be possible for me”, she says. “I push boundaries, question the norms. When I set my heart on something, I do it”.

Now a devoted mother of two, Jess treasures the life she once believed was out of reach. “My boys are my world”, she says.

But her story also reveals the ongoing reality of CF – the emotional weight of chronic illness, the uncertainty of what comes next, and the lasting physical impact, including irreversible lung damage and gastrointestinal complications.

Still Jess refuses to be defined by CF. Her story is one of determination, gratitude and hope for what lies ahead.

Nathan Charles

Nathan Charles’s life began with a diagnosis that could have easily defined him. Instead, encouraged by his parents, he grew up believing cystic fibrosis was not a limit, but one part of a much bigger story.

“I always believed if I wanted something, I could achieve it with the right attitude and work ethic,” Nathan says.

Nathan’s childhood was shaped by both discipline and ambition. Hospital visits and physiotherapy existed alongside rugby training, competition and fierce determination to succeed. He chose to be known for his talent, not his diagnosis, often keeping his condition private from team mates.

That determination carried him all the way to the Australian national team, making him the only known athlete with CF to play international rugby. Pulling on the Wallabies jersey remains one of his proudest moments.

Today, Nathan speaks openly about the growing complexity of ageing with a chronic condition. Yet his outlook remains optimistic: his story is not only about what he has achieved, but what might now be possible for the next generation.

Ashley and Heath Hayes

Ashley Hayes and her six-year-old son Heath share a story of courage, love and hope. In 2020, Ashley and her partner Luke welcomed their first child into the world, but just 17 hours later Heath became critically ill. Emergency surgery to remove part of his bowel led to the devastating news that he had cystic fibrosis.

The early days were marked by uncertainty and fear, but today, Heath is a bright, quirky and clever little boy who amazes his family every day.

But Heath’s challenges extend far beyond the lungs, with ongoing digestion, bowel and sinus issues. “As his mum, I feel it’s my job to take away any pain I can. I wish I could lift the burden from him and carry it myself,” Ashley says.

Ashley’s dedication extends beyond her family. She connects with newly diagnosed families to honour the parents who paved the way and to offer hope. “There is a growing sense that Heath’s life is full of possibility,” she says. “But possibility only happens if we continue to move forward”.

John Berman

John Berman’s life began with a fight. “When I was born, my bowels were blocked with sticky mucus, and I had surgery at 4 days old,” he shares. His first month was spent in the neonatal intensive care unit, and hospital stays became a regular part of his life, often lasting weeks at a time.

At just 12 years old, John dreams of becoming a police officer, a goal that fuels his optimism and drive. “I don’t like being treated as ‘different’. I think I’m a regular kid,” he shares. But CF is a constant presence in his life. “I don’t get a break from CF. For me, it’s more than a lung disease. I need to take up to 20 tablets every day just to digest my food,” he explains.

Despite the challenges, John meets life with determination and optimism. Proud of how far he has come, John looks ahead with hope. “Over the years, my health has improved so much. I’m excited about growing up. I want to keep getting better and better”.

Meet Alexandrena Parker

Melbourne-based Alexandrena (Alex) Parker is an award-winning Australian commercial photographer and director, celebrated for her ability to capture genuine, cinematic, emotionally resonant images of children and family life. She has led advertising campaigns for major retail, lifestyle, and corporate brands.

As Creative Director of CF: There’s More to the Story, Alex brings a deeply personal perspective to the work, photographing people living with CF while living with the condition herself.

She says she wanted a painterly aesthetic that reflected her natural style wile expressing the complexity of CF. Rather than leaning into sombre imagery, she used lighting, colour and composition to create portraits that feel empowering. The result is a collection that speaks both to her professional craft and lived experience, work that is not just a job, but a reflection of her own life.

A Collaborative Approach

Cystic Fibrosis: There’s More to the Story was developed through a collaborative partnership between Cystic Fibrosis Australia, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, award-winning photographer and Creative Director Alex Parker, and members of the cystic fibrosis community.

Together, we have created a disease awareness campaign that amplifies the voices and lived experiences of people with CF, challenges perceptions, and highlights that while significant progress has been made, there is still more to be done.

At its heart, this campaign is about fostering greater understanding, driving meaningful conversations, and reinforcing that our advocacy for the CF community is far from over.

Cystic Fibrosis: There's More to the Story